Cooper Flagg delivered another milestone night Friday, becoming the first 18-year-old to record at least 20 points in the paint and a 25-5-5 stat line in a game since LeBron James accomplished the feat during his 2003-04 rookie season.
Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick from Duke, powered a 118-115 Mavericks comeback over the New Orleans Pelicans, scoring 12 of his career-high 29 points in the fourth quarter.
The performance came just two weeks after Flagg missed a potential game-tying jumper in his first meeting with former Montverde Academy teammate and fellow lottery pick Derik Queen. This time around it was Queen who misfired late, airballing a 3-pointer on the Pelicans’ final possession.
Mavs coach Jason Kidd challenged him to attack the rim, and responded. Flagg scored 21 second-half points on 8-of-9 shooting, with 20 of his points coming inside. According to ESPN Research, he is now the second-youngest player ever to reach 20 points in the paint, trailing only James by one day.
He also continued his surprising poise in crunch time. Flagg is tied for sixth in the NBA in clutch scoring and tied for second in clutch rebounds.
“For an 18-year-old, that’s pretty special,” Kidd said.
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