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Cooper Flagg Matches Jason Kidd’s Rare Rookie Line, Strengthens ROY Case

His 26-10-8 outing with three steals and three threes against Utah underscores a first half that has set him apart in the rookie race.

Overview

  • Flagg logged 26 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals and 3 three-pointers vs. the Jazz, joining head coach Jason Kidd as the only rookies to hit those marks in a game.
  • He remains No. 1 in USA TODAY’s rookie rankings, averaging 18.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists as his Rookie of the Year odds have improved.
  • Earlier this week, he tied Luka Dončić’s pre-20 mark with four games of at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists with one or fewer turnovers.
  • He downplayed All-Star Weekend side events, saying he’s “more of an in-game dunker” and isn’t sure about entering the Dunk or 3-Point contests.
  • Dallas is 14-23 and underperforming, fueling speculation and fan talk about selling at the trade deadline and further building around the 19-year-old forward.