Cooper Flagg Makes History with 42-Point Explosion, But Mavericks Fall to Jazz in Overtime Heartbreaker
On a electric night in Salt Lake City at the Delta Center, Dallas Mavericks rookie sensation Cooper Flagg etched his name deeper into NBA lore with a career-high 42 points, becoming the youngest player in league history to score 40+ in a game at just 18 years old. He surpassed LeBron James’ previous mark of 37 points as an 18-year-old, set back in 2003. Flagg also tied Mark Aguirre for the most points by a Mavericks rookie in franchise history. Yet, despite his heroic effort, the Mavericks couldn’t hold on, suffering a painful 140-133 overtime loss to the Utah Jazz on December 15, 2025.
Flagg’s performance was nothing short of phenomenal, especially considering the circumstances. The Mavericks were without star big man Anthony Davis (calf contusion) and dealing with other injuries, forcing the No. 1 overall pick from the 2025 draft to shoulder an even heavier load. He finished with 42 points on 13-of-27 shooting, including 15-of-20 from the free-throw line, while adding 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal in 42 minutes of action. His scoring came mostly at the rim and the charity stripe, where he relentlessly attacked the Jazz defense.
The game itself was a thrilling back-and-forth affair that showcased emerging talents on both sides. The Mavericks built a comfortable lead at times, entering the fourth quarter up 103-94 after Flagg’s layup. Dallas extended it to 124-116 late in regulation, but the Jazz mounted a furious comeback with an 11-0 run to take the lead. Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen dominated the late stretch, combining for clutch plays.
In a savvy veteran-like move, Flagg drew a foul with the Mavs trailing by three in the final seconds. He made the first free throw, then intentionally missed the second with a high carom off the rim. Teammate Max Christie grabbed the offensive rebound, got fouled, and sank both free throws to tie the game at 129-129 with 3.9 seconds left, forcing overtime.
Unfortunately for Dallas, overtime belonged to Utah. The Jazz opened with a quick 5-0 spurt, and the Mavericks struggled mightily, missing their first several shots. Flagg didn’t score a field goal in the extra period, and Utah outscored Dallas 11-4 to seal the victory. The Jazz were led by Keyonte George’s 37 points and 6 assists—his second straight 30+ point game—and Lauri Markkanen’s double-double of 33 points and 16 rebounds. Kyle Filipowski contributed 25 points and 9 rebounds off the bench, providing crucial scoring in the fourth and overtime.
For the Mavericks, P.J. Washington stepped up with 25 points and 13 rebounds, Naji Marshall added 15 points, and Ryan Nembhard dished 11 assists alongside 14 points. But it wasn’t enough to overcome the Jazz’s balanced attack and late surge.
Postgame, Flagg was understandably bittersweet about his historic night. “It’s tough,” he said. “I want to look at it in wins and losses. Obviously we didn’t win. It’s tough for me to want to be happy, but obviously it’s a success and we’re going to try to keep getting better from here.” His focus on team success over individual accolades speaks to his maturity at such a young age—just days away from turning 19.
This performance further cements Flagg as the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year. Entering the game, he was averaging around 17-18 points per game, but his recent hot streak (25.7 PPG over the last seven games) shows he’s rapidly ascending. With Davis sidelined, Flagg became the primary offensive hub, attacking the paint with ferocity and drawing fouls at will. His 15 made free throws highlighted his physicality and aggression.
The matchup also featured a intriguing subplot: Flagg versus fellow 2025 draftee Ace Bailey of the Jazz. Bailey, selected after Flagg, had a quieter night with just 7 points before fouling out, while Flagg dominated. Utah fans, who had tanked in hopes of landing Flagg via the lottery (only for Dallas to win it with improbable odds), were reminded of what could have been.
Defensively, Flagg held his own, altering shots and grabbing key boards. His two blocks and steal added to a well-rounded stat line. Analysts noted his versatility—handling point guard duties at times, initiating offense, and thriving in transition.
For the Jazz, this win was a statement. Improving to around 10-15, they snapped a streak of inconsistency with consecutive victories for only the second time this season. George’s emergence as a scoring threat alongside Markkanen gives Utah a potent duo, and Filipowski’s contributions signal depth.
The Mavericks, falling to 10-17, have shown flashes amid injuries but remain inconsistent. They’ve won five of their previous six before this loss, largely on Flagg’s rising play and Washington’s reliability. Coach Jason Kidd has leaned heavily on the rookie, and games like this suggest Flagg is ready for the spotlight.
Looking ahead, Flagg’s trajectory is skyrocketing. He’s already joined elite company: only the second 18-year-old (with LeBron) to have multiple 30+ point games, and now the first with 40+. His 42 points rank tied for fourth-most by a teenager ever. As he approaches his 19th birthday on December 21, Flagg has a chance to climb higher on all-time teen scoring lists.
This game will be remembered for Flagg’s brilliance overshadowing a tough team defeat. In a league starving for the next superstar, the 6’9″ forward from Maine delivered a glimpse of what’s to come. The Mavericks may have lost the battle, but with Flagg leading the charge, they’re building toward winning the war.
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