Mavs Rookie Cooper Flagg Scores 51 Points, Draws Jordan Comparisons

Dallas coach Jason Kidd says Flagg should be Rookie of the Year after record-breaking performance.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 7:48pm

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Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg scored 51 points in a game against the Orlando Magic on Friday, breaking his own record for most points scored by a teenager in a single NBA game. Flagg's coach, Jason Kidd, was ejected from the game but still praised Flagg, comparing his rookie season to that of NBA legend Michael Jordan.

Why it matters

Flagg's historic performance and Kidd's Jordan comparison have thrust the 19-year-old into the national spotlight and made him the frontrunner for the NBA Rookie of the Year award. His success is also a bright spot for the struggling Mavericks, who have already been eliminated from playoff contention.

The details

Flagg scored 51 points, the most ever by a teenager in a single NBA game, breaking his own previous record of 49 points set in January. He is now the youngest player in league history to score 50+ points in a game. Mavs coach Jason Kidd, who was ejected from Friday's game, praised Flagg's play and said he should be the Rookie of the Year, comparing his rookie season to that of Michael Jordan.

  • On January 15, 2026, Flagg scored 49 points, setting the previous record for most points by a teenager in a single NBA game.
  • On April 4, 2026, Flagg scored 51 points against the Magic, breaking his own record.

The players

Cooper Flagg

A 19-year-old rookie forward for the Dallas Mavericks who has emerged as a top candidate for NBA Rookie of the Year after several record-breaking performances, including scoring 51 points in a single game.

Jason Kidd

The head coach of the Dallas Mavericks who was ejected from Friday's game against the Magic but still praised Flagg's play, comparing the rookie's season to that of NBA legend Michael Jordan.

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What they’re saying

“He should be Rookie of the Year. It's unbelievable. The country is now watching the same thing that we get to watch on the daily basis, the things that he's done. He's in rare air. He's with the G.O.A.T. when you talk about MJ and what he did in his rookie year, and, as a teenager. To see what Cooper's doing, just the excitement, the joy of playing the game win or lose, his spirit is about winning, and right now we're not.”

— Jason Kidd, Head Coach, Dallas Mavericks

“It was fun. It's always fun getting into that type of mode. The basket feels big. Your teammates are looking out for you, helping you out. But I love to win, so that was my main focus. It's hard for me to fully enjoy myself out there when we're down 20, down 10, down 15 for the majority of the game.”

— Cooper Flagg

What’s next

The Rookie of the Year award will be announced later this month, with Flagg and his former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel as the top contenders.

The takeaway

Cooper Flagg's historic rookie season has drawn comparisons to NBA legend Michael Jordan, cementing the 19-year-old as a rising star and the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year. His record-breaking performances have provided a bright spot for the struggling Mavericks, though Flagg remains focused on winning rather than individual accolades.