Cooper Flagg delivered the best performance of his career on Friday, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 118–115 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. The 18 year old rookie finished with 29 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals in 32 minutes, becoming just the second teenager in NBA history to record at least 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in a game, joining LeBron James in that exclusive club.

Flagg shot 12 of 19 from the field and 5 of 6 from the free throw line, compensating for an 0 of 4 night from three by relentlessly attacking the rim. He played his best late in the game, scoring 12 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter on 4 of 5 shooting, helping keep Dallas within striking distance as the game tightened.

Flagg has now scored more than 20 points in three of his last six games, and he is trending in the right direction after experiencing some early season inconsistency.

Dallas improved to 5–12 and earned its first NBA Cup win despite trailing by 14 at halftime. Naji Marshall hit the go ahead three with 30.7 seconds remaining, and Max Christie sealed the game at the free throw line. Still, it was Flagg’s effort and composure in crunch time that kept the Mavericks in position to complete the comeback.