DALLAS (AP) – In a remarkable display of skill, Cooper Flagg became the first teenager to score 51 points in an NBA game, achieving this milestone during the Dallas Mavericks’ 138-127 loss to the Orlando Magic on Friday night.
Flagg’s historic performance came after his coach, Jason Kidd, and teammate Naji Marshall were ejected from the game for protesting a foul call against him in the fourth quarter.
Ejections and Emotional Support
Flagg’s scoring spree included 24 points in the fourth quarter, following the ejections of Kidd and Marshall. Kidd received one technical foul, while Marshall was given a second technical shortly after Kidd’s dismissal.
“It’s great to see,” Flagg stated, reflecting on his performance. He shot 19 of 30 from the field and converted all seven free throws, surpassing his previous career high of 49 points.
Flagg expressed gratitude for the support from Kidd and Marshall, saying, “Just seeing their emotion, seeing them fight for me and fight for the calls, definitely motivated me even further.”
Flagg’s Historic Moment
Exiting the game with 45 points, Flagg was told by assistant coach Frank Vogel that he was merely resting during a defensive possession. Vogel later called a timeout to reinsert Flagg with 3:22 left on the clock.
Flagg made history shortly after, first missing a three-pointer but then securing a rebound and making a corner three-pointer. On the next possession, he hit an off-balance shot while being fouled, clinching his 50th point and converting the free throw to leave the court to a standing ovation.
Team Struggles
The Mavericks faced a challenging game, trailing by as many as 30 points before Flagg’s fourth-quarter surge. This loss marked the team’s 14th consecutive defeat at home, the longest streak since the 1993-94 season.
“It’s always fun getting into that type of mode,” Flagg noted. “The basket feels big. My teammates are looking out for you, helping you out. But I like to win. That was my main focus.”
Controversial Calls
Flagg commented on the controversial foul not called against Desmond Bane, stating, “I think it was warranted” regarding Kidd’s reaction. He revealed that Bane admitted to intentionally trying to foul him, adding, “I honestly don’t know how they didn’t see that.”