Cooper Flagg did something on Monday night that only one teenager in NBA history had ever done before. The 19-year-old scored a season-high 43 points as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Indiana Pacers 125-122 on 9 November 2026 at American Airlines Center, overturning a 13-point deficit.
Flagg scored 30 of his points in the second half, shooting 16 of 25 from the field, with ten rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block. It was his fifth 40-point game of his young NBA career and the first time this season he has crossed 40.
With the performance, Flagg became only the second teenager in NBA history to record at least 40 points, ten rebounds and five assists in a game. The only other was Kevin Durant, for the Seattle SuperSonics in the last game of the 2007-08 season — 42 points, 13 rebounds and six assists at Golden State on 16 April 2008.
Kyrie Irving added 35 points, including seven of ten from three-point range, in 38 minutes — his first back-to-back since returning from a torn ACL that kept him out for 19 months. He had played 28 minutes in Sunday’s 130-93 win over Brooklyn.
Dallas improved to 7-4, three games over .500 for the first time since 1 March 2025. ESPN notes it is Flagg’s 14th game scoring at least 30 points before turning 20.
The numbers are remarkable on their own. The context makes them more so: a 19-year-old carrying a comeback from 13 points down, against a playoff team, in the second half, and joining Kevin Durant as the only teenagers ever to do it.
It has been a big week for NBA scoring, from Luka Doncic’s 53 points to the Knicks beating the Cavaliers. Cooper Flagg’s 43 points on Monday night may be the most impressive of them all.
Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.