Cooper Flagg, already the sheriff of Dallas

Deprived of many carriers, including the duo Kyrie Irving – Anthony Davis still in the infirmary, Mavericks received Networks very attentive to the “rookie star”. Not surprisingly, Cooper Flagg had the ball in his hand for most of the night, and Brooklyn tried to contain it by running the two. Without much effect.

The former Duke player finished the night with five assists and no turnovers.

“It made my life easier to pass the ball quickly and create four-on-three situations for my teammates.” explains Cooper Flagg about his management two people take. “If they’re doing double moves, that’s what you have to do. You have to find the one that’s open to have an advantage. I’m really happy to pass the ball so I can let others take advantage of that.”

However, the opening night was not very smooth. In the third quarter, he twisted his ankle and briefly left the floor. A short passage to the dressing room, then back to the field.

And strives at the end of the match, despite the pain. As time approached, the 19-year-old winger intercepted Michael Porter Jr’s pass, before Max Christie found him with a dunk on the counter-attack. On the next possession, he missed, but he didn’t let his head down: he immediately followed with a long-range game-winning shot to give his team some breathing room and change the game. Dallas leads by ten points and going to win.

Keep to yourself

In the end, Cooper Flag finished with 27 points, shooting 10/17. A solid performance, and above all a response after his previous match, much more complicated, in the loss to the Bulls (11 points, 4/13).

“Cooper Flagg is never afraid”, insists Jason Kidd. “For a young player to twist your ankle and come back and play at this level, it shows your toughness. He shot well, he played well. I liked his response, because the last match he was not up to what he can do. It shows how quickly he corrects. His ability to have the ball, withstand double balls and still make the right decisions shows that he can be patient.”

Beyond the shots and game decisions, Jason Kidd also highlights his rookie impact in the locker room. A costume that the former duke does not want to wear artificially.

“Leader or not, I will remain myself and true to my values. If it helps the team, all the better. I am someone who expresses myself, and I let that side of me come out. We have a good group, with good personalities, so it is easy to be myself” he concludes as Dallas (15-25) remains within striking distance of the game.

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How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.