Nikola Jokic Hails Cooper Flagg's Historic 33 9 9

Merlin sees rookie Cooper Flagg steal the spotlight. In a 131 130 win over the Nuggets he recorded 33 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to hit those numbers and joining Jason Kidd and Luka Doncic as the only Mavericks rookies with that kind of box score. Even Nikola Jokic took notice, saying "He was definitely a hot hand out there" and praising Flagg for playing with rare calm. Merlin senses more than a one game flash. That stat line and Jokic’s praise point to a player who already looks comfortable in pressure moments. If Dallas leans into his talent and keeps him in key minutes, Flagg could reshape the rookie race and the Mavericks’ ceiling.