Cooper Flagg had the greatest game of his young NBA career Saturday night as he dropped 35 points and collected eight rebounds in the Mavericks’ 114-110 win over the Clippers.
LeBron James is the only rookie to score 35 points at the age of 18, but this year’s top selection doesn’t turn 19 until December 21. That’s pretty good company. Even more amazing, Flagg became the youngest player to score 35 points in a game in NBA history.
James had two 35-point performances as an 18-year-old rookie for the Cavaliers in 2003, but Flagg beat him as the youngest player to attain the mark by a mere five days.
James’s first 35-point night occurred when he scored 37 points in a loss to the Celtics when he was 18 years and 348 days old. Flagg became the youngest player to score 35 points or more in a game at the age of 18 years and 343 days, just surpassing the NBA’s all-time top scorer.
CAREER-HIGH NIGHT FOR NO. 1 PICK COOPER FLAGG 🔥
35 PTS | 8 REB pic.twitter.com/a2pEDAbvuC
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 30, 2025
Six days after his 37-point performance in 2003, James scored 36 points in a victory over the 76ers, giving the all-time great two 35-point performances as an 18-year-old. Against James and the Lakers Friday, Flagg had a 13-point, 11-assist double-double as his club succumbed to Los Angeles behind 38 points from Austin Reaves and another 35 from Luka Dončić.
Flagg’s 11 assists are the most ever by an 18 year old. He also pulled down seven rebounds, falling just three points short of a triple-double. Through 20 games in his rookie year, the Duke product and touted prospect is averaging 16.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. With the victory over the Clippers on Saturday night, Dallas ended a three-game losing streak and is now 6-15 on the season amid what appears to be a rebuild around Flagg following the dismissal of general manager Nico Harrison.
