DALLAS — Rookie forward Cooper Flagg delivered a career-high 29 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, as the Dallas Mavericks erased a 15-point deficit to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 118-115 on Friday night at American Airlines Center.
The 18-year-old No. 1 overall pick scored or assisted on five of Dallas’ final eight possessions. His pass to Naji Marshall set up the go-ahead three-pointer with 32 seconds remaining. Flagg added seven rebounds and five assists in his return after missing Wednesday’s loss to the New York Knicks because of illness.
Former Montverde Academy teammate Derik Queen, the Pelicans’ rookie lottery pick, finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and a career-best 11 assists but air-balled a potential tying three-pointer at the buzzer. New Orleans led by 14 at halftime and regained the advantage on Queen’s running hook with 3:12 left before Dallas closed on a 10-4 run.
“Clutch situations — he’s not afraid,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said of Flagg. “For an 18-year-old, that’s pretty special.”
According to NBA tracking, Flagg is tied for sixth in total clutch points this season with 31, hitting 10 of 16 shots. He also shares second in clutch rebounds (14) and ranks fifth in clutch assists (six).
Kidd challenged Flagg at halftime to attack the rim rather than settle for jumpers. The rookie responded by shooting 8-for-9 in the second half, scoring 21 of his points after the break; 20 of his points overall came in the paint. Per ESPN Research, only LeBron James has reached 20 paint points in a game at a younger age (18 years, 334 days) than Flagg (18 years, 335 days).
Flagg joined James as the only 18-year-olds in league history to post at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists in a single game.
P.J. Washington supplied 24 points and nine rebounds for Dallas (5-12). The Pelicans dropped to 9-8 despite 24 points from Zion Williamson.
Flagg and Queen exchanged jerseys and hugs after the final horn, reversing the outcome of their first professional meeting on Nov. 4, when Queen’s late jumper pushed New Orleans past Dallas and Flagg missed the potential equalizer.
Source: ESPN
