DALLAS — Rookie Cooper Flagg caught the look-ahead go as he crossed the half-court line, took one dribble and a pair extra lengthy strides and launched for a spectacular and-1 slam dunk.
The end over the Toronto Raptors’ Sandro Mamukelashvili elicited a roar from the group on the American Airways Middle, a far cry from the scattered boos heard in the course of the Dallas Mavericks’ 0-2 begin. It was the spotlight of a wonderful all-around efficiency within the first NBA victory for Flagg, the No. 1 draft choose who completed Sunday night time’s recreation with 22 factors, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
“The followers have confirmed up for the primary three video games, and I believed tonight was actually the primary time we gave ’em one thing to be excited for and be on their toes for,” Flagg mentioned after the 139-129 win over the Raptors.
The Mavs snapped out of their early-season offensive funk with seven Dallas gamers scoring in double figures, led by 25 factors from energy ahead Anthony Davis and 24 factors from guard D’Angelo Russell, who added a team-high six assists whereas thriving because the sixth man a recreation after sitting out all the second half resulting from a coach’s determination.
However the highlight, because it usually will this season, shined brightest on Flagg. In accordance with ESPN Analysis, at 18 years and 309 days previous, Flagg grew to become the fifth-youngest participant in NBA historical past to attain at the very least 20 factors in a recreation, trailing solely Jermaine O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady and LeBron James. Flagg joined Bryant as the one gamers to attain at the very least 20 factors with out committing a turnover in a recreation earlier than turning 19.
Flagg’s fingerprints have been all around the 26-9 run within the third quarter, a stretch through which Dallas turned a seven-point deficit right into a double-digit lead. He had seven factors and three assists in the course of the run, punctuating it with the exclamation level of his poster dunk, which prompted teammates to leap off the bench to have a good time.
“When he’s getting the group going like that, our crew feeds off it,” mentioned Russell, who assisted Flagg on the and-1 dunk. “Everyone desires to see him do nice. So when he’s performing like that, it’s contagious.”
Added Dallas middle Dereck Energetic II, who began the quick break with a defensive rebound and outlet go: “As quickly as he took off, I knew it was going to be butter. He’s bringing his power, getting him above the rim. The entire crowd loves it. That brings us alive.”
After coming into the sport ranked final within the league in offensive effectivity, the Mavs discovered the formulation wanted for them to play nicely on offense whereas famous person guard Kyrie Irving recovers from the torn ACL he suffered in March. Dallas performed quick and with drive, scoring 25 fast-break factors and 70 factors within the paint, and going 29-of-39 from the free throw line.
“It feels nice. I’m excited,” Flagg mentioned. “We wish to construct off tonight, use it as a baseline. This crew wants to only preserve constructing and getting higher.”
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