Mavs' Cooper Flagg Drops 45 in Win Over Lakers

Rookie sensation continues impressive season with another dominant performance.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 2:39am

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In a high-scoring affair, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 134-128 behind a career-high 45 points from rookie sensation Cooper Flagg. Flagg also contributed 8 rebounds and 9 assists in the victory, continuing his impressive start to the NBA season.

Why it matters

Flagg, the 5th overall pick in last year's draft, has quickly emerged as one of the league's most exciting young talents. His ability to score, facilitate, and impact the game on both ends of the floor has been a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for the Mavericks.

The details

In addition to Flagg's big night, the Mavericks also got solid contributions from P.J. Washington (15 points, 5 rebounds) and Naji Marshall (13 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists). For the Lakers, LeBron James recorded a triple-double with 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 15 assists, while Jaxson Hayes and Rui Hachimura added 23 and 21 points respectively.

  • The game took place on April 6, 2026.

The players

Cooper Flagg

A 21-year-old rookie forward for the Dallas Mavericks, selected 5th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.

LeBron James

A 38-year-old veteran forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, considered one of the greatest players in NBA history.

Jaxson Hayes

A 23-year-old center for the Los Angeles Lakers, known for his athleticism and rim protection.

Rui Hachimura

A 25-year-old forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, acquired in a trade earlier this season.

P.J. Washington

A 25-year-old forward for the Dallas Mavericks, in his 4th NBA season.

Naji Marshall

A 24-year-old guard/forward for the Dallas Mavericks, known for his versatility and two-way play.

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What they’re saying

“Cooper Flagg is the real deal. He's only going to get better from here.”

— Grant Afseth, NBA Writer

What’s next

The Mavericks will look to build on this win when they face the Clippers in their next game on April 8th. Flagg will try to continue his strong rookie campaign as Dallas aims to finish the season on a high note.

The takeaway

Cooper Flagg's dominant performance against the Lakers showcases his immense potential as one of the NBA's rising young stars. The Mavericks' rebuild has found a cornerstone in Flagg, who is quickly establishing himself as a must-watch player in the league.