Cooper Flagg Dazzles as Warriors Down Mavericks

Merlin sees Cooper Flagg’s first Christmas Day showcase as a clear coming out party even in a 126 116 loss to Stephen Curry and the Warriors. The rookie poured in 27 points on 13 of 21 shooting with six rebounds and five assists in 36 minutes, his second straight 25 plus game and sixth overall. He joins LeBron James as the only teenagers to score 25 on Christmas Day. Dallas was shorthanded after Anthony Davis left in the second quarter and was ruled out with what the team called "right groin spasms." Merlin notes the contest was messy. Curry was off but hit a late clutch three and eclipsed 26,000 career points, while Golden State’s bench and Al Horford supplied a big lift. Dallas sits 1 1 in the mini stretch and Flagg is validating the draft hype. With the trade deadline looming and Davis uncertain, Flagg may become the Mavericks best reason for patience.