Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg has learned a lot this season. Amid a stellar 2025-26 season that led to his Rookie of the Year candidacy, Flagg recorded his 25th 20+ point game in a 138-135 loss against the Cleveland Cavs on Friday. This set a new NBA record, surpassing Hall of Fame guard Kobe Bryant's record for most 20+ point games by a teenager.
flag Reflecting on her rookie season During his postgame media availability following Friday's three-point loss to the Cavs, according to AB Jones of DLLS Sports.
"I've learned a lot about myself throughout this year. About the game of basketball. About the people around me," Flagg said. "I feel like I've learned a lot about life. It's been a big year of learning for me, and I've had to mature a lot. So it's been a good year."
Cooper Flagg says he not only learned a lot during his up-and-down rookie season with the Mavericks, but also matured a lot throughout the year.
"Throughout this year I've learned a lot about myself. About the game of basketball. About the people around me. I think I've... pic.twitter.com/RYKgfOzjPG
- Abby Jones (@_abigaiiiil) 14 March 2026
Cooper finished with 25 points on 8-for-16 shooting, five assists and four rebounds.
Mark Stein at Cooper Flag in ROTY Race
In a tight MVP race with the Hornets' Kon Knueppel, Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg's chances to win the award remain strong, but is there more that can be done to improve his chances? NBA insider Marc Stein recently addressed that very question by looking at the Mavericks' chances of winning the lottery.
Additionally, the Hornets have emerged as a playoff team, and Knueppel is a key part of that. As Steen said, with the Mavericks' season coming to an end, Flagg's chances of winning Rookie of the Year may remain bleak, according to The All-NBA Podcast.
"The Mavs have 18 games left, and the truth is, if they can go 0-18, that would be the best thing for them. That's the way the system is," Steen said on the All-NBA Podcast. "The way the system is structured, the best thing for the Mavs is to lose, and lose royally, and that's obviously not going to be great if you're chasing Rookie of the Year."
The Mavs will face the Cavs in a rematch on Sunday.
