Dallas Mavericks No.1 pick Cooper Flagg dropped a strong statement following registering his best NBA game against two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo on Monday. However, the Mavericks lost 116-114 but Flagg amassed 26 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block on 60.0% shooting.
He also hit the go-ahead shot on Antetokounmpo with 29 seconds left, providing Dallas a one-point lead. Flagg and Co. could not hold on to their advantage after the rookie committed a crucial turnover following a no-call by the refs, ending in Milwaukee taking a three-point lead.
The Mavericks were still in it after Giannis Antetokounmpo fouled P.J. Washington on the last possession, but the forward only made one free throw and the Bucks won by two. Dallas fell to 3-8.
For Cooper Flagg, he has not been in the loss column as much following a sensational high school and college run, where collective success was not hard to find. Although, he has stayed level-headed and vowed to reach his ceiling after an average run.
"I think that’s the tough part. I think previously, obviously, you have bad games, you don’t play up to your standard, it’s a little easier to look past and kind of move on from when your team is winning and you're able to get those wins," Flagg told reporters after the game on Monday (via Mavericks).
He added:
"All I can do is keep working, keep showing up, keep getting in the gym, trusting the reps, trusting the work, getting with the coaches, watching film and just continue to be confident. I know who I am and what I'm capable of."
Cooper Flagg went into the NBA as a prodigy and consensus No.1 pick. The 18-year-old has developed at a relatively slower speed. Before Monday's clash, he was averaging 13.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists on 40.3% shooting.
However, with a breakthrough game with him, Flagg will aim to bank on the momentum ahead of a long season with 71 games left in the regular season.