The National Basketball Association’s calendar was busy for another day with the marquee names of the holiday season, but it was the 19-year-old who ended up making the biggest statement of all. Cooper Flagg, a week shy of his birthday and still settling into the league he entered as a first-round pick in June, delivered a dominant performance that redefined the Maverick narrative for the season and, perhaps, for the foreseeable future.
Flagg finished with 33, nine, nine, one, and one, leading a dramatic 131-130 victory over the Nuggets at the American Airlines Center. In putting on a show full of highlight reels, he flirted with triples with effective, timely three shots, good play, and calmness in the most contested moments. And although the visitors had every chance to steal the contest at the buzzer, the end smiled on him and his teammates; a wide effort was put forth, and they succeeded.
Still dealing with a losing record and the weight of a seismic shift following the departure of Luke Doncic last season, the Mavericks were in dire need of action. More than just a note, if a rare one, in the win column, it was a sign that their rising star was no longer a promising project. In taking on the Nuggets’ twin engines of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, Flagg displayed an unusual combination of youth and savvy. Losing head coach David Adelman noted what many around the world saw: His maturity belied his years, especially as he put down his aggressive comeback from double digits.
Flagg’s impressive outing goes into the record books alongside the Mavericks’ biggest single-game streak, which includes Luka Doncic and Jason Kidd as the only starters to post a 33-9-9 line. It’s something more often associated with longtime All-Stars than newcomers in their first full season. And, of course, the context surrounding these numbers deepens their resonance. The Mavs have been searching for consistency and ownership, and, if nothing else, his emergence provides a connecting thread between the here and now and the then. It suggests that even in a rebuilding environment, moments of real promise are evident.
Beyond the gaudy numbers, what stands out is the way they’ve been rounded up by the competitive mindset of the shrink. Flagg’s ability to lift up those around him, even under pressure, is what separates him from other prospects. For the Mavericks, the win — small, surprising, and narratively rich — could be the first of many as he becomes a catalyst for the group’s growth.
The 2025-26 campaign has alternated between hope and frustration, but the Nuggets’ success at one close helped remind everyone that the core of pro hoops often boils down to one play that informs broader approaches. And, for all intents and purposes, his Christmas Eve gift was a definite declaration of intent.
Anthony L. Cuaycong was writing The court since BusinessWorld launched the Sports category in 1994. He is a consultant in strategic planning, operations and human resources management, business communication, and business development.
