Cooper Flagg continues to strengthen his Rookie of the Year case with another standout performance late in the NBA regular season.
The 19-year-old delivered 46 points, eight rebounds and nine assists in Dallas’ 134-128 win over the Los Angeles Lakers last Sunday.
That display marked his fourth 40-point game of the season, placing him in rare historical territory among NBA rookies over the past five decades.
Only Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson have more rookie 40-point games than Cooper Flagg
Flagg now trails only Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson for the most 40-point games in a rookie season in the last 50 years, according to Underdog NBA.
Jordan recorded seven such performances during his debut campaign for the Chicago Bulls, while Iverson finished with five for the Philadelphia 76ers, leaving Flagg just one behind second place.
With four games remaining in the regular season, matching Jordan’s total appears unlikely, but Iverson’s mark is within immediate reach.
Flagg’s scoring ability has been a defining feature of his rookie year, consistently stepping up in high-pressure situations while contributing across multiple statistical categories.
His performances have also added weight to his Rookie of the Year candidacy, where he faces strong competition from Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel.
Knueppel has impressed especially due to his perimeter shooting, particularly from three-point range, while Flagg’s all-round production and scoring peaks continue to stand out.
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