Rookie Cooper Flagg scored a career-high 42 points, but it wasn’t enough to help the Dallas Mavericks avoid a 140-133 overtime defeat against the Utah Jazz on Monday, Dec. 15. The performance set a new single-game scoring standard for NBA players under the age of 19.
Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, was the game’s leading scorer, shooting 13 of 27 from the field and making 15 of 20 free-throw attempts. Keyonte George (37 points) and Lauri Markkanen (33) helped the Jazz pull out the victory.
Flagg is the first 18-year-old player in NBA history with a 40-point game. On Nov. 29, Flagg joined LeBron James as the only 18-year-olds in NBA history to post 30-plus point totals. Against the Jazz, Flagg surpassed the 37 points an 18-year-old James scored for the Cleveland Cavaliers in a game on Dec. 13, 2003 against the Boston Celtics.
Cooper Flagg stats vs. Jazz
Points: 42
FG: 13-for-27 (1-for-4 from 3-point line)
Free Throws: 15-for-20
Rebounds: 7
Assists: 6
Steals: 1
Blocks: 2
Turnovers: 4
Fouls: 3
Minutes: 42
Mavericks vs. Jazz highlights
The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports’ newsletter.