Cooper Flagg has officially taken control of the Rookie of the Year race, and he did it in emphatic fashion.
Following a historic two-game stretch, the Mavericks’ 19-year-old phenom has surged past Kon Knueppel in the latest odds, flipping the race entirely.
Flagg now sits as the favorite, a dramatic shift after what many are calling a defining weekend.
Flagg poured in 96 points across two games, including a 51-point outing followed by 45 points in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers, putting himself in rare territory historically.
“I think it’s definitely some sort of statement,” Flagg said. “But it just goes back to what I said: I’m confident in myself, and I know what I’m capable of. I’ll just let the rest of the stuff figure itself out.”
The numbers back it up. Flagg became the first rookie since Allen Iverson, and the only teenager EVER, to average at least 45 points, five rebounds and five assists over a two-game span.
Despite the attention, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd made it clear this isn’t new.
“I don’t know if he’s making a closing statement,” Kidd said. “I think he’s doing what he’s been doing all season. Being able to play different positions. Being able to be uncomfortable. He’s never complained and has delivered for us.
“Tonight, being able to do it on national television, it’s not easy. Especially coming off a 50-ball. He wants to win, and he helped the team win tonight.”
Flagg’s all-around production has also stood out, leading all rookies in scoring while contributing across the board. Even LeBron James, who faced Flagg during the breakout performance, acknowledged the rising star’s trajectory.
“I mean, he’s obviously special,” James said. “I’ve seen that all the way back to like the AAU days… he’s getting better and better and better. Looks like he loves the game. He’s putting in the work, and he’s gotten better.”
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