By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Cooper Flagg is making the kind of history that was once the sole domain of Luka Doncic at the Dallas Mavericks. The 19-year-old forward, selected first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, presented by State Farm, just months after the blockbuster trade that sent the Slovenian superstar to the Los Angeles Lakers, has officially arrived. Over his last two outings in the 2025-26 Regular Season, he exploded for a combined 96 points, following a 51-point masterpiece against the Orlando Magic with a 45-point clinic opposite the Doncic-less Lakers on Sunday, finally snapping a franchise-record 14-game home losing streak.
Despite the individual brilliance, the season has been a grueling transition for a Dallas team that currently sits at 25-53. Flagg, however, remains undeterred by the pressure of replacing a legend like Doncic. “I think it’s definitely some sort of statement, but it goes back to what I said. I am confident in myself, and I know what I’m capable of. I just left the rest of the stuff figure itself out,” he mentioned in his postgame press conference. Head coach Jason Kidd echoed that sentiment, noting the rookie’s undeniable growth: “We all saw it against Orlando, and tonight against the Lakers, he’s playing at a high level.”
With only four games remaining, the focus is already shifting toward a future built around Flagg’s versatile scoring. While his numbers mirror the high-usage dominance of his predecessor, Flagg is focused on turning those stats into wins. Connecting the current season to the 2026-27 campaign, he noted, “What we take away from his year is that terrible feeling. It’s not fun to lose so many games. I think just taking that, using that motivation all summer long, and getting ready for another season.”