Cooper Flagg did not just show up on Monday night. He took over the game and left the Miami Heat winless. The 19-year-old rookie finished with 29 points, 11 assists, six rebounds, five steals, and three blocked shots in a 113-109 win. That stat line is absurd for anyone, let alone a teenager. Dallas head coach Dusty May summed it up perfectly after the game. He called Flagg a “bad dude” during his postgame press conference. That label fits the young star who scored 12 of his points in the fourth quarter to seal the deal.
The Heat Could Not Stop the Attack
Miami tried to contain him, but it was a losing battle. May explained that the defense simply could not handle Flagg when he found an opening to attack the basket. “Even he just needed a crease,” May said, according to Yahoo Sports. Painting like that and finishing, it’s a bad dude. The Heat had three guys trying to block shots, but Flagg still got his. He was efficient and made the right plays when it mattered most. This win keeps Dallas at 2-2 while dropping Miami to 0-4. The gap between the two teams on that night was clear.
With 29 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists, Miami received a massive line from Giannis Antetokounmpo. It was his first triple-double since joining the Heat. Yet, even that performance was not enough. Davion Mitchell added 21 points for Miami, but Bam Adebayo struggled with only eight points. The Heat had no answer for the Mavericks’ movement and spacing. P.J. Washington and Kyrie Irving also stepped up with big shots early on. The team effort was just as important as Flagg’s individual brilliance.
Teammates Know What They Have
Flagg’s teammates are not hiding their excitement. Naji Marshall, who has been a mentor to the rookie, took to social media to praise the young star. Marshall missed the game due to injury but posted on X, according to Yahoo Sports: “Coop the greatest man are we even surprised anymore.” That reaction makes sense given Flagg’s history. Per game, his averages this season are 25.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. He is also shooting 56.5% from the field. The numbers show he is built for this level of play.
May noted that Flagg is determined to win and never stops trying. The coach highlighted how the rookie has a different gear and focus when the game is on the line. That is a historic feat that changes how people view the franchise. Dallas made the right move selecting him with the No. 1 overall pick. The team looks ready to make a serious playoff push in the West.
