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Cooper Flagg Scores Career-High 29 as Mavericks Edge Pelicans in NBA Cup Thriller

The 18-year-old joined LeBron James as the only 18-year-olds to post at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists in an NBA game.

Overview

  • Dallas won 118-115 after Naji Marshall hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 30.7 seconds left and Max Christie sank two late free throws as New Orleans missed three final 3-point attempts.
  • Flagg tallied seven rebounds and five assists and produced 12 fourth-quarter points, factoring into five of the Mavericks’ final eight possessions in the comeback.
  • Head coach Jason Kidd praised Flagg’s late-game poise, calling his performance for an 18-year-old "pretty special" and noting his decisiveness in clutch situations.
  • The Mavericks improved to 5-12 overall and 1-2 in NBA Cup play; the Pelicans fell to 2-14 and 0-3, with Trey Murphy III scoring 25 and Zion Williamson adding 22 in the loss.
  • Pelicans rookie Derik Queen posted 20 points and a career-high 11 assists, while separate reporting highlighted Mavs center Dereck Lively II’s early defensive surge in a small six-game sample.