Mavericks' Jason Kidd Issues Challenge to Cooper Flagg After 3rd Rookie of Month Award

Kidd wants to see the 19-year-old rookie earn the honor again in February.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 8:55pm

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Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd praised rookie Cooper Flagg for winning his third consecutive Western Conference Rookie of the Month Award in January, and issued him a challenge to earn the honor again in February. Kidd said Flagg has shown an impressive ability to adapt to the NBA schedule and lifestyle at just 19 years old.

Why it matters

Flagg's strong start to his rookie season has been a bright spot for the Mavericks, who are looking to build around the young talent. Kidd's public challenge shows the team's commitment to developing Flagg and helping him continue to excel.

The details

Kidd told reporters that Flagg has "answered a lot of questions" about adjusting to the NBA, and that his performance in January was "pretty special" for a 19-year-old. The coach wants to see Flagg earn the Rookie of the Month award again in February, and said the team will do everything they can to help him achieve that goal.

  • Cooper Flagg won his third consecutive Western Conference Rookie of the Month Award for his performance in January 2026.

The players

Jason Kidd

The head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, who issued a challenge to rookie Cooper Flagg to earn the Rookie of the Month award again in February.

Cooper Flagg

A 19-year-old rookie for the Dallas Mavericks who has won the Western Conference Rookie of the Month Award for three consecutive months.

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What they’re saying

“When you look at the way that Cooper is playing here, especially for the month of January, he's answered a lot of questions of understanding of how teams are playing him, what the NBA schedule and lifestyle is all about. So for a 19-year-old to be able to digest all that and put up the numbers that he did this past month is pretty special.”

— Jason Kidd, Head Coach, Dallas Mavericks (clutchpoints.com)

“To win three Rookie of the Month Awards, now he has to do it in February. And so, we're here to help him with that.”

— Jason Kidd, Head Coach, Dallas Mavericks (clutchpoints.com)

What’s next

The Mavericks will take on the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, February 4th, 2026, as Flagg looks to earn his fourth consecutive Rookie of the Month Award.

The takeaway

Jason Kidd's public challenge to Cooper Flagg highlights the Mavericks' commitment to developing their young star, and shows the team's belief that Flagg can continue to excel at the NBA level despite his young age.