Cooper Flagg sets new record as youngest NBA player to score 40 points

Cooper Flagg sets new record as youngest NBA player to score 40 pointsFlagg joins LeBron James and Kevin Durant as only third teenager with at least 40 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.Published On 16 Dec 2025Cooper Flagg has scored the most points by an 18-year-old in NBA history, but he could not enjoy the accomplishment because it came in a loss.Flagg had 42 points – topping the previous mark of 37 set by LeBron James on December 13, 2003 – in a 140-133 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday night.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Morocco advances to FIFA Arab Cup final after defeating UAE 3-0list 2 of 4AFCON 2025: Full match schedule before Africa’s showcase football spectaclelist 3 of 4PSG vs Flamengo: All to know about FIFA Intercontinental Cup final in Qatarlist 4 of 4Messi mania peaks in Delhi as football superstar ends India tourend of list“Obviously, we didn’t win. So it’s tough for me to want to be happy, or any of that, but obviously it’s a success,” said Flagg, who had a bag of ice on his ankle after rolling it at the end of regulation.Flagg also became just the fifth rookie to record 40 points, five rebounds and five assists in the last 15 years, as he finished with seven boards and six assists.“The more time he spends on the floor, the more he sees, the better he gets. He displayed it all tonight,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said.Flagg has been playing his best basketball the past few weeks as the number one overall draft pick has averaged 25.7 points in the last seven games. He is also playing aggressively enough to get to the line and went 15 for 20 against Utah.“It’s come a long way from the start of the season, so I’m proud of that fourth quarter,” Flagg said. “It’s a new game … but I am getting more and more comfortable … and just settling in, honestly, just being myself and letting the game come to me.”He scored 12 points in the fourth quarter and made a savvy play to get the game into overtime when he missed a free throw on purpose with such a big carom that teammate Max Christie got the rebound with 3.9 seconds remaining and was fouled.Flagg (#32) drives to the basket against Utah Jazz forward Kyle Anderson (#2) during the first half on December 15, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah, US [Tyler Tate/AP Photo]Flagg ties Mavs rookie scoring markWith Anthony Davis out and Dallas missing several other teammates to injuries, this game may be a harbinger of things to come as Flagg becomes a centrepiece of the Mavericks’ offence.