In January, Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for the third straight time, solidifying his spot among the franchise’s most accomplished rookies and strengthening his candidacy for the NBA Rookie of the Year award. Flagg’s remarkable rise has drawn widespread attention as he continues to impress with his scoring, rebounding, and playmaking.
When discussing what has driven his offensive improvements, Flagg pointed to a refined sense of court positioning combined with increased physicality.
My pace. Picking my spots, where I want to be on the court, playing with force, and better driving angles,
Flagg said.
That’s something I worked a lot on. I’m always working on my shooting, but learning where I want to get on the floor has been the biggest thing.
Confidence has also played a key role in enabling Flagg’s breakout stretches.
I feel confident. I’m getting to my spots, making some shots,
he shared.
When I play with confidence, with a downhill mentality and in attack mode, I think it’s really good for me and good for our team. The guys have confidence in me, and they’re pushing me to be aggressive, so I’m just listening and trying to do what’s best.
Impressive January Statistics Highlight Flagg’s Consistency
Throughout 12 games in January—all starts for Dallas—Flagg averaged 20.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per contest. He shot 47.8% from the field and 76.9% from the free-throw line. His scoring surpassed 20 points on six occasions, including two games with 30 or more points, and featured an outstanding 40-point outing. Flagg also recorded four double-doubles and produced four performances with at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
This level of production, capped by record-breaking nights, placed Flagg firmly in the league spotlight and continues to fuel his rise in the Rookie of the Year race.
Record-Breaking Games Define Flagg’s Historic Month
Flagg’s defining performance came on January 29 against the Charlotte Hornets, where he exploded for a career-high 49 points on 20-of-29 shooting, adding 10 rebounds in the process. This achievement set a new Dallas Mavericks rookie scoring record, surpassing the mark held by franchise legend Mark Aguirre, whose jersey was retired during the same game. Additionally, Flagg’s performance established a new NBA record for the highest scoring game by a teenager.
The game carried extra significance as it marked the NBA debut matchup between Flagg and Kon Knueppel, his former Duke University roommate and fellow Rookie of the Year contender. Knueppel responded with a career-high 34 points, including eight three-pointers, ultimately helping the Hornets secure victory with clutch free throws in the final seconds.
Reflecting on the meeting and competition on the rookie front, Flagg called the experience deeply memorable.
It’s incredible, and I wouldn’t want it any other way,
Flagg said.
We’ll be looking back on this whole year for the rest of our lives and talking about it. It’s just so special to have this opportunity.
About facing his former roommate, he added:
That was my roommate last year. To have a night like this with him — I know how special he is and how hard he works. Ten-plus years down the road, we’ll both be looking back on this as something special. That’s my brother for life, and I’ve got really high praise for him.
Continued Dominance in Back-to-Back Games
Two nights later against the Houston Rockets, Flagg once again delivered a historic outing with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. He became the first teenager in NBA history to record consecutive 30-point double-doubles. Over those final two games of January, Flagg amassed a combined 83 points, setting yet another record for a player of his age bracket.
Other notable performances in these matchups included contributions from Charlotte’s Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball, as well as 16 points off the bench for Dallas from Klay Thompson.
Jason Kidd and Teammates Praise Flagg’s Rapid Development
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd highlighted Flagg’s ability to quickly adjust to NBA defenses and the rigorous schedule as key to his success.
When you look at the way Cooper is playing here as of late, especially for the month of January, he’s answered a lot of questions of how teams have been playing him, what the NBA schedule and lifestyle is all about,
Kidd said.
For a 19-year-old to be able to digest all of that and put up the numbers he did this past month is pretty special. He’s been playing extremely well since we’ve gotten him. To win 3 ROTM awards, now he has to do it in February.
Forward Daniel Gafford echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Flagg’s clutch presence and trustworthiness in critical moments.
Amazing, Gafford said.
When you put the ball in his hands, good things happen. We trust him to take those shots at the end of the game, and the majority of the time those shots fall. … The sky’s the limit for him. Just give him the ball and let him go.
These endorsements from teammates and coaches confirm why Flagg’s rookie run has been so impactful, and they underscore why the Mavericks have leaned so heavily on their young star.
Looking Ahead for Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks
January’s accomplishments earned Flagg another Rookie of the Month trophy, but the message within the Mavericks organization is clear: the standard continues to rise. With the season progressing and February underway, Flagg faces the challenge of maintaining and elevating his performance amid increasing expectations.
As Dallas navigates the remainder of the NBA season, Cooper Flagg’s breakthrough offers a beacon of hope and excitement. His record-shattering feats and rapid development promise not only to influence the Mavericks’ success but also to reshape expectations of what a teenager can achieve in the league’s demanding environment.
