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Cooper Flagg’s first season in the NBA hasn’t gone as planned, and the rookie admitted it’s been tough.
Flagg, 19, has had significant personal success this season and is in contention for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award. However, the Dallas Mavericks haven’t had much success as they are 24-52 and nowhere near playoff contention.
“Obviously it’s been tough. Like you said, you know, through high school, college, I mean, I only lost four games last year. So there’s been times in the season where it’s been, you know, really mentally taxing on me,” Flagg said during a recent appearance on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”
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Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) controls the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Dallas, Texas, Monday, March 30, 2026. (Gareth Patterson/AP Photo)
Anthony Davis played just 20 games with the Mavericks before suffering a hand injury and eventually being traded to the Washington Wizards. Star point guard Kyrie Irving tore his ACL last season and has not played this season.
Flagg hopes he can look back on the tough times and say he learned from them.
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Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) drives against Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Milwaukee, Wis., Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (Jeffrey Phelps/AP Photo)
“Just not having the success that I had hoped for and obviously we’ve had a lot of injuries and a lot of unfortunate things that have happened throughout the year. It obviously hasn’t been ideal. I’ve had growth along the way and I’ve had to get better and learn on the fly, but definitely not the start that I would have been looking for. Hopefully, being able to look back on it and eventually know that I could look back on it,” Flagg said.
Flagg said he was thrown out there and into the fire more than he expected, but he said it has helped him develop and become more confident and comfortable.
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Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) drives against Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Milwaukee, Wis., Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (Jeffrey Phelps/AP Photo)
In 64 games, the Newport, Maine, native has averaged 20.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals and nearly a block per game.
Flagg’s rookie season continues when the Mavericks play the Orlando Magic (40-36) on Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
