Mavs Rookie Cooper Flagg Shines Early in Playoff Push

Flagg's hot starts have fueled his late-season surge for Rookie of the Year.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:22pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball player in motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form representing the dynamic action of the game.Rookie Cooper Flagg's aggressive play early in games has fueled the Mavericks' late-season playoff push.Dallas Today

Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg has been on a tear lately, scoring 51, 45 and 25 points in his last three games. Flagg's early-game production has been a key factor, as the Mavs have adjusted his rotation to give him more minutes in the first quarter. In his last two games, Flagg has scored 19 and 13 points in the opening quarter, respectively, showcasing his aggressiveness and helping to fuel his impressive stat lines.

Why it matters

Flagg's strong play down the stretch has put him firmly in the NBA Rookie of the Year conversation. The Mavericks are leaning on their young star as they push for the playoffs, and his ability to get off to fast starts has been a major boost for the team.

The details

Prior to Sunday's game against the Lakers, Flagg had played no more than eight minutes in the first quarter over the previous two months. But the Mavericks have adjusted their rotation to give Flagg more early playing time, and the results have been impressive. In the last two games, he's combined for 19 field goal attempts and six free throws in the first quarter alone, showcasing his scoring prowess from the opening tip.

  • On April 3, Flagg scored 51 points in a loss to the Orlando Magic.
  • On April 5, Flagg scored 45 points against the Los Angeles Lakers.
  • On April 7, Flagg scored 25 points against the Los Angeles Clippers.

The players

Cooper Flagg

A rookie forward for the Dallas Mavericks who has emerged as a top contender for NBA Rookie of the Year.

Dallas Mavericks

An NBA franchise based in Dallas, Texas that is currently pushing for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

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What they’re saying

“Cooper Flagg is making a late push for NBA Rookie of the Year, dropping 51, 45 and 25 points over his last three games, respectively.”

— Julian Edlow, Author

What’s next

The Mavericks will look to continue riding Flagg's hot start when they take on the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, April 8.

The takeaway

Flagg's ability to get off to fast starts has been a major factor in his late-season surge, putting him firmly in the Rookie of the Year conversation. The Mavericks' decision to adjust his rotation and give him more early minutes has paid dividends, and the team will look to continue that strategy as they push for the playoffs.