Cooper Flagg makes NBA history with 42-point game, but laments Mavericks’ loss to Jazz
No 1 overall draft pick, who has averaged 25.7 points in the past seven games, becomes first 18-year-old to have a 40-point game
Cooper Flagg scored the most points by an 18-year-old in NBA history, but he could not enjoy the accomplishment because it came in a loss.
Flagg had 42 points – topping the previous mark of 37 set by LeBron James on December 13, 2003 – in a 140-133 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday night.
“Obviously we didn’t win. So it’s tough for me to want to be happy, or any of that, but obviously it’s a success,” said Flagg, who had a bag of ice on his ankle after rolling it at the end of regulation time.
Flagg also became just the fifth rookie to record 40 points, five rebounds and five assists in the past 15 years as he finished with seven boards and six assists.
“The more time he spends on the floor, the more he sees, the better he gets. He displayed it all tonight,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said.
Flagg has been playing his best basketball over the past few weeks as the No 1 overall draft pick averaged 25.7 points in the past seven games. He is also playing aggressively enough to get to the line and went 15 for 20 against Utah.