Nikola Jokic offers frank assessment of Cooper Flagg after Mavericks’ upset win

The Dallas Mavericks have not had issues to seek in recent months, with the franchise still recovering from the shock departure of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Mavs delivered one of their standout results of the season Tuesday night, stunning the Denver Nuggets, 21-8 and third in the Western Conference, to improve to 12-19.

Flagg and Davis run the show for Mavs

Anthony Davis finally looked closer to his best, finishing with 31 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, along with nine rebounds, four assists and three steals on 12-of-19 shooting. The former Laker provided the veteran backbone Dallas has been searching for.

Still, Davis was outscored by No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg. The teenage phenom was sensational, pouring in 33 points while adding nine rebounds and nine assists on 14-of-21 shooting, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range.

Jokic praises Flagg: “A hot hand”

Flagg’s performance was so impressive that even three-time MVP Nikola Jokic could not help but praise him afterward. Jokic finished with 29 points, seven rebounds and 14 assists for Denver, but the spotlight belonged elsewhere.

As reported by ESPN’s Tim McMahon, the Serbian star said Flagg played with the composure of a seasoned pro rather than someone who recently turned 19.

“He was definitely a hot hand out there,” Jokic said. “But just, I’m going to say the poise that he played with, he doesn’t feel like he’s so young out there. He seems like he played meaningful games and he was winning before. That’s my opinion. He looked really mature out there.”

Rookie joins Doncic and Kidd

Only Luka Doncic and Jason Kidd have posted similar or better numbers at such a young age for the franchise. Flagg’s night pushed his December averages to 23.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists, while shooting 51 percent from the field.

For a Mavericks team still searching for its identity, Flagg has quickly become the most reliable source of optimism.

Flagg “just having fun”

Flagg believes the reason for his surge is simple.

“Just having fun,” he said. “I think I’m at my best when I’m just playing free and having fun.”

For Dallas, that freedom might be the clearest path forward, and for one night in Denver, it was more than enough.

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