LeBron James Cooper Flagg Ignite Mavericks Over Lakers

LeBron James, 41, and rookie Cooper Flagg, 19, turned Sunday night into history as both topped 20 in the first half of the Mavericks' 134-128 win over the Lakers. LeBron finished with 30 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds while Flagg erupted for 45 points, nine assists and eight boards. It was the first game with a teenager and a player over 40 each scoring 20, and it added to Flagg’s torrid rookie run of high-output, all-around games. Merlin sees a rare crossroads of eras. Flagg’s back-to-back 40s and third 35/5/5 show a rookie leveling up fast, and LeBron’s near triple-double is proof of enduring greatness. With Luka out and Kyrie sidelined, Jason Kidd said he saw one of their similarities as being "able to play the game at a high level and have fun doing it." Dallas’ upside grows as injured vets return.