DALLAS — Rookie Cooper Flagg caught the look-ahead move as he crossed the halfcourt line, took one dribble and a pair extra lengthy strides and launched for a spectacular and-1 slam dunk.
The end over Toronto’s Sandro Mamukelashvili elicited a roar from the group on the American Airways Heart, a far cry from the scattered boos heard through the Dallas Mavericks’ 0-2 begin. It was the spotlight of a wonderful all-around efficiency within the first NBA victory for Flagg, the No. 1 draft decide who completed with 22 factors, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
“The followers have confirmed up for the primary three video games, and I assumed tonight was actually the primary time we gave ’em one thing to be excited for and be on their ft for,” Flagg mentioned after the 139-129 win Sunday night time.
The Mavs snapped out of their early-season offensive funk with seven Dallas gamers scoring in double figures, led by 25 factors from energy ahead Anthony Davis and 24 factors from guard D’Angelo Russell, who added a team-high six assists whereas thriving because the sixth man a sport after sitting out your complete second half as a result of a coach’s resolution.
However the highlight, because it typically will this season, shined brightest on Flagg. Based on ESPN Analysis, at 18 years, 309 days outdated, Flagg turned the fifth-youngest participant in NBA historical past to attain at the very least 20 factors in a sport, trailing solely Jermaine O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady and LeBron James. Flagg joined Bryant as the one gamers to attain at the very least 20 factors with out committing a turnover in a sport earlier than turning 19.
Flagg’s fingerprints have been everywhere in the 26-9 run within the third quarter, a stretch through which Dallas turned a seven-point deficit right into a double-digit lead. He had seven factors and three assists through the run, punctuating it with the exclamation level of his poster dunk, which prompted teammates to leap off the bench to have a good time.
“When he is getting the group going like that, our crew feeds off it,” mentioned Russell, who assisted Flagg on the and-1 dunk. “Everyone needs to see him do nice. So when he is performing like that, it is contagious.”
Added Dallas middle Dereck Energetic II, who began the quick break with a defensive rebound and outlet move: “As quickly as he took off, I knew it was going to be butter. He is bringing his vitality, getting him above the rim. The entire crowd loves it. That brings us alive.”
After getting into the sport ranked final within the league in offensive effectivity, the Mavs discovered the formulation wanted for them to play nicely on offense whereas celebrity guard Kyrie Irving recovers from the torn ACL he suffered in March. Dallas performed quick and with power, scoring 25 fast-break factors and 70 factors within the paint, and going 29-of-39 from the free throw line.
“It feels nice. I am excited,” Flagg mentioned. “We wish to construct off tonight, use it as a baseline. This crew wants to only preserve constructing and getting higher.”