The Houston Rockets dominated the Dallas Mavericks 135-117 on Friday at The Venetian Arena in Macao, China. But while the Rockets walked away with the win, reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg again looked like the best player on the floor. He finished with a team-high 19 points in just 19 minutes, going 7 of 14 from the field, along with six rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block.
Unfortunately for Mavs fans, they still haven’t seen their franchise cornerstone play alongside Kyrie Irving, who sat out Friday’s game. Irving missed all of last season while rehabbing from a torn ACL. Mavs head coach Dusty May said he will play in one of the two NBA China Games, meaning fans should get their first look at Irving next to Flagg on Sunday.
With Dallas building around Flagg, a first-year head coach and a young core of ascending talent, there has been speculation that Irving could be traded this season. The 34-year-old guard is rehabbing a major injury and entering the twilight of his career. But Irving recently offered high praise for Flagg and hinted that he may have a future in Dallas after all.
"I’m looking forward to growing with him and seeing how his development happens over the next few years," Irving said. He added that the numbers Flagg has put up are something he has only seen from the likes of Michael Jordan. "He’s a rookie coming in and putting up stats that only Michael Jordan was reaching.
It’s all facts with that kid." More news: LeBron James Sends Clear Message After Sixers Debut More news: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Makes Emphatic Statement About Being NBA’s Best Flagg set multiple records during his first season with the Mavs. He became the first rookie in NBA history to score at least 50 points in a game, and the first teenager ever to do it. He also had four 40-point games, more than any teenager before him, including LeBron James.
Flagg finished the season averaging 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game, becoming the first rookie since Jordan in 1984-85 to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists and steals. Expectations are that he’ll take another jump this season, and it’s starting to feel like it will happen right alongside Irving. Irving has taken every chance to commit publicly to this team.
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