NBA History: Cooper Flagg becomes first teen with five 40-point games

Cooper Flagg made NBA history on Monday night by becoming the first teenager to record five games with 40 or more points.

The 19-year-old forward scored a season-high 43 points in a 125-122 victory over the Indiana Pacers. His performance included a mid-range jumper over Andrew Nembhard with 26 seconds remaining, which gave Dallas a four-point lead and secured its third straight win. The Mavericks improved their record to 7-4 with the result.

Flagg’s 40-point outing places him in exclusive statistical territory. He now matches the combined total of 40-point games by LeBron James and Anthony Edwards as teenagers. No other player in NBA history has more than one such game before turning 20, other than James and Edwards. Flagg also joined Kevin Durant as the only teenagers to post a game with 40 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists.

The forward currently ranks third all-time in total points scored before age 20, trailing only Kobe Bryant and James. He averages 25.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 2.2 steals per game this season. These figures place him 11th in the league in scoring, 16th in assists, and fifth in steals. Mavericks coach Dusty May praised Flagg’s versatility, noting that he makes the right passing decisions for his age.

Flagg’s scoring efficiency centers on his ability to finish at the rim. Standing 6-foot-9, he shoots 61.7% on his six average rim attempts per game. He ranks 20th in efficiency among players with at least 50 rim attempts this season. His drive to the basket also generates free-throw attempts, where he shoots 90.3% and averages 7.2 per game, a sharp increase from his 4.9 per game as a rookie.

The player has also expanded his mid-range repertoire, a focus of his offseason training. He is the most efficient player in the league on off-the-dribble two-point attempts, shooting 25 of 42. Flagg stated that using these shots helps him manage his energy during games. His three-point shooting remains a developing area, as he is currently at 29.2% from beyond the arc, a slight drop from his 29.5% rookie season mark.