Cooper Flagg has been an offensive machine for the Dallas Mavericks, as his recent surge in the paint has Mavs fans excited about the future. One reason for his success inside can be attributed to his ability to finish at the rim with either hand. He has demonstrated power and quickness, and Flagg has clearly been efficient near the basket all season long.
Flagg has quietly developed into one of the top finishers in the NBA, and the rest of the league should be terrified. His finishing has become so elite that defenders can't find a way to stop him once he gets downhill. However, there is just one problem. The team's struggles are overshadowing Flagg's athletic finishing.
For example, on Thursday night, Flagg had his best game of the season against the Charlotte Hornets, despite Dallas losing 123-121. The No. 1 pick finished the game with a career-high 49 points, as he shot 68.9 percent overall. He was an offensive machine, scoring from a variety of angles. Defenders struggled to match his pace inside, as Flagg was a beast at the rim.
Cooper Flagg's finishing has become his best trait despite early concerns
The 19-year-old had no problem finishing down low, as it was obvious the Hornets struggled to contain him inside. The video below is a perfect example of how fast Flagg has developed this offensive skill over the last few months. Again, it has become problematic for Hornets defenders to keep up with his high athleticism and growing strength.
COOPER FLAGG JAMS IT OVER THE DEFENDER ‼️ pic.twitter.com/Wco9ya6uu9
— NBA (@NBA) January 30, 2026
Flagg's high success inside is something no one saw coming. Many experts believed his success as a rookie would be attributed to his dominant defense. They expected him to continue being a lockdown defender like he was during March Madness.
It makes sense, though, why this was a believed statement, as Flagg was a high-impact defender for Duke. The young star dominated in the Final Four and put the world on notice. He finished the game with seven rebounds, three blocks, and two steals against Houston, as it would be his final collegiate game.
Yet, it's true that Flagg has been a dominant defender in his first NBA season, but his ability to finish in the paint has been just as strong. NBA experts believed that Flagg's offensive game and scoring around the bucket would take some time to develop, but that hasn't been the case at all.
So what makes Flagg's finishing so unique?
For starters, he can easily get to the rim by either driving with his left hand or using his quickness to move past the defender in front of him. Not to mention, Flagg can easily absorb contact and use his strength to finish inside.
His finishing is an offensive skill that has fans raving in excitement. It gives the organization a silver lining that he'll be a superstar in Dallas for years to come.
Plus, if Flagg can master his 3-point shot, then the sky is the limit for the Mavs' forward.
For now, though, fans should be excited about Flagg's quick progression in the NBA, especially his rise inside the paint. NBA writers have even started to take note of Flagg's recent resurgence. They, too, believe Dallas has found their next star.
The reason? Well, it all starts with Flagg's ability to take over games. This can again be attributed to his skill in finishing around the rim and getting good looks rather than forcing contested jumpers. It's something that will win Dallas games in the future. The main point is that Flagg's offensive jump is the bright spot for a team looking to get back to its winning ways.