Cooper Flagg's 45 Points Lead Mavericks Past Lakers

Rookie sensation Cooper Flagg powers Dallas to victory over struggling Lakers squad.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:53pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors depicting a basketball player driving to the hoop, the ball and player's movements blurred in a frenetic, energetic composition.Rookie sensation Cooper Flagg's scoring outburst leads the Mavericks to a crucial victory over the injury-plagued Lakers.Los Angeles Today

The Dallas Mavericks ended their longest home losing streak in 32 years with a 134-128 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night. Rookie Cooper Flagg led the Mavericks with 45 points, while the Lakers were hampered by injuries, missing key players like Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

Why it matters

Flagg's consecutive 40-point games and impressive rookie season have made him a rising star, showcasing the Mavericks' ability to overcome adversity. Meanwhile, the Lakers' struggles with injuries have put their playoff hopes in jeopardy as they fight to stay competitive in the Western Conference.

The details

Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks' 19-year-old rookie sensation, scored 45 points to lead his team to victory over the Lakers. This was Flagg's second consecutive 40-point game, highlighting his impressive start to his NBA career. The Mavericks were also boosted by a triple-double from veteran Luke Kennard. On the other side, the Lakers were missing several key players due to injuries, including stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, which contributed to their defeat.

  • The game took place on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
  • This was the Mavericks' longest home losing streak in 32 years.

The players

Cooper Flagg

A 19-year-old rookie sensation for the Dallas Mavericks who has emerged as a rising star in the NBA with consecutive 40-point games.

LeBron James

A veteran superstar for the Los Angeles Lakers who was hampered by injuries in this game.

Luka Doncic

A star player for the Dallas Mavericks who missed this game due to injury.

Austin Reaves

A key player for the Los Angeles Lakers who missed this game due to injury.

Luke Kennard

A veteran player for the Dallas Mavericks who recorded a triple-double in this game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Cooper Flagg is the real deal. He's a special talent and we're lucky to have him on our team.”

— Jason Kidd, Head Coach, Dallas Mavericks

“Injuries have really hampered us this season, but we'll keep fighting and find a way to get back on track.”

— LeBron James

What’s next

The Mavericks will look to build on this win and continue their push for a playoff spot, while the Lakers will need to get healthy and find a way to turn their season around.

The takeaway

Cooper Flagg's emergence as a star rookie has been a bright spot for the Mavericks, showcasing their ability to develop young talent and overcome adversity. Meanwhile, the Lakers' struggles with injuries have put their playoff hopes in jeopardy, highlighting the importance of roster depth in the competitive Western Conference.