HOUSTON — Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd delivered a sharp rebuke of the officiating crew after Saturday night’s 111-107 defeat to the Houston Rockets, arguing that rookie forward Cooper Flagg was fouled on a potential game-tying drive with 25 seconds remaining.
“I saw a foul,” Kidd said, citing referees Sean Wright, Simone Jelks and Jason Goldenberg by name. “The referees were unacceptable. They were terrible.”
Flagg, two days removed from a franchise-rookie record 49-point outing against the Charlotte Hornets, finished with 34 points, 12 rebounds and five assists. The 19-year-old shot 13-for-25 overall and 11-for-17 in the paint, but his left-handed layup in traffic against Amen Thompson rolled off the rim without a whistle.
“I definitely felt some contact,” Flagg said. “At the end of the day, the refs make the call, so it is what it is.”
The Maine native went 7-for-10 at the free throw line. It marked only the fifth time this season he attempted at least 10 free throws; he entered the night averaging 4.5 attempts.
According to ESPN Research, Flagg’s combined 50 points in the paint against Charlotte and Houston are the most by a rookie over a two-game span since detailed play-by-play tracking began in 1997-98.
Houston star Kevin Durant praised the teenager’s aggressive approach. “He’s figured it out,” Durant said. “He understands that he’s tough to stop.”
Flagg became the first teenager in league history to post consecutive 30-point double-doubles. Despite the milestone, he remained without a technical foul this season and said he valued Kidd’s public defense.
“I feel like JK has a lot of trust in me, and I have a lot of trust in him,” Flagg remarked. “We’re continuing to grow our bond. That’s just having my back.”
Source: ESPN
