Cooper Flagg Showing Continuous Improvement, Says LeBron James

Cooper Flagg delivered another huge performance for the Dallas Mavericks against the Los Angeles Lakers, prompting strong praise from LeBron James, who believes the rookie forward will continue to rise. Flagg poured in 45 points as Dallas beat the Lakers 134-128, further extending a standout first NBA season.

James, who finished with 30 points and 15 assists for the playoff-bound Lakers, could not prevent defeat in a high-scoring contest. The Lakers were missing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, with both ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury, deepening an already stretched rotation.

Flagg’s 45-point effort came with nine assists, eight rebounds, two steals and one block, showing impact across the floor. The 19-year-old maintained his hot streak only days after a 50-point outing in a loss to the Orlando Magic, where Flagg became the youngest rookie in NBA history to reach that mark.

The forward is now the first rookie to record consecutive games of at least 40 points since Allen Iverson in the 1996-97 season. Dallas also received help from P.J. Washington Jr., who contributed 15 points, but the focus stayed on Flagg’s workload and efficiency in crunch moments.

James has been tracking Flagg’s journey for years and said the current form comes as no surprise. "He's obviously special,James said. I mean, I've seen that all the way back to the AAU days when he was coming up in the ranks and playing for his team outof Maine. And just doing the things that he was doing on the circuit.So I knew he was special from there. He's just taking that from what he was doing back home to the AAU circuit,to Duke, and now here. He's just getting better and better and better.It looks like he loves the game, he's putting in the work, so he's got better."

Cooper Flagg and Rookie of the Year race

Despite the growing attention and viral highlights, Flagg has played down individual awards. The forward has stated a preference to avoid the Rookie of the Year debate and instead concentrate on lifting the 12th-placed Mavericks up the Western Conference standings, where every win remains valuable.

Flagg leads all first-year players in scoring with 20.8 points per game, while ranking third among qualified rookies in rebounds at 6.6 per contest. The forward also averages 4.5 assists, second among rookies behind Mavericks team-mate Ryan Nembhard, underlining a playmaking role alongside the scoring load.

Cooper Flagg among historic rookie company

Flagg’s current averages place the forward in select statistical territory since the ABA-NBA merger. The only rookies to post at least 20 points, six rebounds and four assists per game over a full season are Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Doncic and Flagg, highlighting how broad the 19-year-old’s contributions already are.

Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets is widely viewed as the early favourite for Rookie of the Year, based on 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. James himself posted 20.9 points, 5.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds in the 2003-04 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, when James collected the award.

Cooper Flagg and depth of current rookie class

James was reluctant to make a firm prediction on this season’s winner, instead pointing towards the group’s overall strength. "It's a great rookie class,James added. I mean, you look at VJ [Edgecombe] in Philly, you look at Kon [Knueppel] in Charlotte,you look at Dylan [Harper] in San Antonio. It's just a great rookie class.And all those guys are making an impact on their respective teams. So [the] league's in good hands with those rooks."

With Dallas still outside the top eight, Flagg’s immediate focus stays team-based rather than individual. The forward’s back-to-back 40-point games, historic statistical company and recognition from James underline how quickly Flagg has adapted, yet results across the remaining schedule will shape how this rookie season is ultimately viewed.