Cooper Flagg, Nikola Jokic, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets
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Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball as Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets defends during the second half at American Airlines Center on December 23, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is starting to prove why he entered the NBA as the second-youngest No. 1 pick in history. The Duke product has averaged an impressive 23.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists in December while shooting 51% from the field.
On Tuesday, Flagg continued his efficient scoring exploits by dropping 33 points (14-of-21 FG) against the Denver Nuggets, helping the Mavs to a 131-130 victory.
After the game, three-time MVP Nikola Jokic said that Flagg does not come across as a teenager to him, citing the 19-year-old’s maturity and composure in clutch moments.
“He was definitely a hot hand out there,” Jokic said of Flagg, via ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
“But just, I’m going to say the poise that he played with, he doesn’t feel like he’s so young out there. He seems like he played meaningful games and he was winning before. That’s my opinion. He looked really mature out there.”
Cooper Flagg Shines in Clutch
Some of that composure was very evident in the closing moments of Tuesday’s game. With 3:17 left in the fourth quarter, Flagg made a huge three to give the Mavericks a 126-121 lead, and followed it up with another fast-break layup in the next possession. Such clutch baskets are rarely made by veterans in the league, let alone a player who turned 19 on Sunday, December 21.
Nuggets head coach David Adelman was equally impressed by Flagg’s ability to be the go-to option for the Mavericks despite being the youngest player on the floor.
“It was the tough shots he made,” Adelman said of Flagg. “Some of the 3s late in the clock. He got to his spots. I thought Bruce [Brown] really fought him the second half and he still made some really tough shots in key moments.
“He’s very impressive, man. … Sometimes it doesn’t matter when a really good player can make shots over the top, and that’s what he did.”
Cooper Flagg Just ‘Having Fun’
Despite turning 19, Flgg remains the youngest player in the NBA. And with how quickly he has acclimatized to the pro level, it’s rather scary how good he will be in his early to mid-20s. Flagg, though, is just enjoying his time and not thinking too far ahead.
“Just having fun,” Flagg said of his recent scoring outburst, which includes multiple 25-point games and a career-high 42-point outing.
“I think I’m at my best when I’m just playing free and having fun.”
One key development in Flagg’s game has been his three-point shooting. In his last two outings, the 19-year-old has shot 5-of-7 from distance, after 1-of-10 in his previous three games. The teenager is cognizant of those numbers and eager to improve.
“I’m 19. I’ve only missed like one 3 since I turned 19,” Flagg noted, pointing to his hot shooting streak since his birthday on Sunday.
“Just being confident,” Flagg said of his confidence as a shooter. “Trust the work, trust the reps.”
It’s not rare for highly-acclaimed No. 1 picks to struggle with their shooting in their first seasons. Look no further than LeBron James (29%) and Anthony Edwards (32%), who both shot very poorly from deep as rookies but improved as their careers progressed.