Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg became the first 18-year-old player to score 40-plus points in an NBA game during the Mavs’ 140-133 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday.
Flagg, who turns 19 on Sunday, scored a career-high 42 points on 13-of-27 shooting and 15 made free throws in 20 attempts. The No. 1 draft pick in this year’s NBA Draft also recorded seven rebounds, six assists, two blocks and one steal in the Mavs’ overtime loss.
“Obviously, we didn’t win. So, it’s tough for me to want to be happy or any of that,” Flagg said after the game. “But obviously, it’s a success.
“I’m not really focused on a lot of that stuff [the records]. I’m more just focused on being present, day to day, and trying to get better and getting our team as many wins as we can,” he added.
The previous record for most points scored by an 18-year-old in an NBA game was 37 points by LeBron James in his rookie season as the Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics, 105-98, on Dec. 13, 2003.
Prior to Monday, Flagg’s previous career-high was 35 points in a 114-110 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 29.
Flagg has started all 26 games in his rookie season with the Mavericks and is averaging 18.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals in 34 minutes per game.