Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg delivered another spectacular performance Sunday, recording 45 points, nine assists and eight rebounds as Dallas defeated the injury-plagued Los Angeles Lakers 134-128 at home.
The impressive showing came just two days after Flagg made NBA history by becoming the youngest player ever to reach 50 points in a single game, achieving that milestone with 51 points against Orlando on Friday. In Sunday’s contest, the rookie nearly achieved his first career triple-double while putting up 26 points in the opening half alone.
Flagg’s explosive start helped Dallas (25-53) maintain control throughout most of the game against a Lakers squad (50-28) severely weakened by injuries.
The Lakers entered the matchup already missing MVP candidate Luka Doncic, who will be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season after suffering a Grade 2 left hamstring injury during Thursday’s lopsided defeat in Oklahoma City.
Los Angeles faced additional challenges when the team announced Saturday that Austin Reaves, their second-highest scorer this season, would also miss the rest of the regular season due to a Grade 2 left oblique strain.
LeBron James stepped up for the undermanned Lakers, coming close to a triple-double with 30 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds. James paced all five Los Angeles starters who reached double digits in scoring, including Luke Kennard, who recorded his first career triple-double with 15 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists.
However, Los Angeles struggled with depth issues as Dallas’ reserves outscored the Lakers’ bench 46-35, while the Mavericks capitalized on turnovers for 21 points off 12 Los Angeles mistakes.
The Mavericks established a commanding 22-point advantage with strong supporting performances from P.J. Washington’s 15 points, along with 13 points each from Naji Marshall and Brandon Williams. Klay Thompson contributed 11 points off the bench, including three successful three-point attempts.
Thompson’s shooting helped Dallas dominate from long range, connecting on 14 of 32 three-point attempts compared to Los Angeles’ 8 of 27 performance from beyond the arc.
