Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Cooper Flagg records wild feat never done in NBA history

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated Dec 16, 2025 9:28 AM ET

Cooper Flagg made history Monday with a feat that may not be matched for a very long time.

The Dallas Mavericks star went off in a losing effort against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The rookie phenom erupted for 42 points on 13/27 shooting to go along with 7 rebounds and 6 assists in the 140-133 loss.

Flagg may not have led his team to victory, but he did secure himself a unique piece of NBA history in the contest. The Mavericks swingman became the first 18-year-old ever to score 40 points in a single NBA game.

Cooper Flagg is the first 18 year old in NBA history to score 40 points in a game pic.twitter.com/ZnmGrWvDAr
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 16, 2025

Flagg’s 42-point night surpassed LeBron James’ 37-point outing as a rookie on December 13, 2003. The Duke alum also joined James, Kevin Durant, and Anthony Edwards as the only teenagers to ever record at least 40 points and 5 assists in a single game.

Cooper Flagg is the fourth teenager in NBA history to record 40 points and 5 assists in a game, joining Anthony Edwards, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James

Flagg is the first to do it at 18 years old pic.twitter.com/WNBRIuzfDG
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) December 16, 2025

One element that aided Flagg was his decision to reclassify to an earlier draft class. Few prospects in today’s high-scoring NBA arrive in the league before turning 19. On the other hand, one could see that as a testament to Flagg’s advanced skill level at such a young age, which had him ready for the league a year earlier.

Flagg has come a long way from the early-season struggles that had some worried about his ability to handle the NBA game. He turns 19 on December 21.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: