Cooper Flagg, 19, Becomes Youngest NBA Player to Score 50 Points in a Game

The Dallas Mavericks rookie phenom broke Brandon Jennings' 2009 record, continuing his streak of making NBA history.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 5:20pm

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Cooper Flagg, the 19-year-old rookie for the Dallas Mavericks, became the youngest NBA player to ever score 50 points in a single game. Flagg scored 51 points against the Orlando Magic on April 3, 2026, breaking the previous record held by Brandon Jennings, who was 20 years old when he scored 55 points in 2009. Flagg is also the first teenager to ever achieve a 50-point game in the NBA.

Why it matters

Flagg's historic 50-point performance at just 19 years old highlights his immense talent and potential as a rising star in the NBA. His achievement has drawn widespread attention and praise, with Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd calling him a potential Rookie of the Year and saying he has 'checked every box' despite the 'extremely high' expectations on him.

The details

In the Mavericks' 138-127 loss to the Orlando Magic on April 3, Flagg scored 51 points, including 24 in the fourth quarter. He became the ninth rookie in NBA history to score 50 or more points in a game. Flagg has also had three games this season with 40 or more points, the most by a rookie since Allen Iverson in 1996-97.

  • On April 3, 2026, Cooper Flagg scored 51 points against the Orlando Magic.
  • The previous record for youngest player to score 50 points in an NBA game was held by Brandon Jennings, who was 20 years old when he scored 55 points in 2009.

The players

Cooper Flagg

A 19-year-old rookie for the Dallas Mavericks who became the youngest player in NBA history to score 50 points in a game.

Brandon Jennings

A former NBA player who previously held the record for youngest player to score 50 points in a game, achieving the feat at 20 years old in 2009.

Jason Kidd

The head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, who praised Flagg's historic performance and said he should be the NBA Rookie of the Year.

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What they’re saying

“He's checked every box every time he's taken the floor.”

— Jason Kidd, Head Coach, Dallas Mavericks

“The country is not watching the same thing we get to watch on a daily basis.”

— Jason Kidd, Head Coach, Dallas Mavericks

The takeaway

Cooper Flagg's historic 50-point game at just 19 years old solidifies his status as a rising superstar in the NBA. His incredible performance and potential have drawn widespread praise, with his head coach Jason Kidd saying he has 'checked every box' and should be the Rookie of the Year. Flagg's achievement is a testament to his immense talent and the excitement surrounding his NBA career.