NBA Announces Cooper Flagg History After Mavericks-Clippers Game

The Dallas Mavericks continue to struggle this 2025-26 season, with the decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers last campaign still haunting them.

One bright spot for the team, however, has been the growth of 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg. After a slow start when the Mavs experimented with using him as a point guard, Flagg has thrived in his natural position and has quickly re-established himself as one of the top rookies in his class.

On Saturday, against the Los Angeles Clippers, Flagg even made history when he scored 35 points on 13-of-22 shooting to lead the Mavs to a 114-110 win. According to the NBA, the former Duke star is now the youngest player ever to score 35 or more in a game.

“@Cooper_Flagg became the YOUNGEST PLAYER in NBA history to score 35+ points in a game in Dallas’ victory tonight!” the NBA wrote, before adding, “He joins LeBron James as the only players in NBA history to have scored 30+ points in a game before turning 19 years old.”

Flagg is just 18 years and 343 days old as of Saturday.

Even better, the Mavericks rookie achieved the feat in just four quarters, making him the youngest player in NBA history to score at least 30 points in a game. It’s worth noting that LeBron James scored 33 points against the Memphis Grizzlies in 2003, but he did so in double overtime.

His scoring output is also the third-most points scored by a player before turning 19. James holds the top two records with 37 and 36, which he achieved both in December of 2003.

Flagg’s growth will certainly be critical in the Mavs’ revival, and so far, things are looking great for the team.