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Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks scores during the second half of a game against the Detroit Pistons at American Airlines Center on December 18, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. Gunnar Word, Getty Images/AFP/File

DALLAS, TEXAS - DECEMBER 18: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks scores during the second half of a game against the Detroit Pistons at American Airlines Center on December 18, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.   Gunnar Word/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Gunnar Word / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

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Detroit Pistons v Dallas Mavericks

Agence France-Presse

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1769753109912AFP__20251219__2252649003__v1__MidRes__DetroitPistonsVDallasMavericks.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks scores during the second half of a game against the Detroit Pistons at American Airlines Center on December 18, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. Gunnar Word, Getty Images/AFP/File" width="960"/>Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks scores during the second half of a game against the Detroit Pistons at American Airlines Center on December 18, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. Gunnar Word, Getty Images/AFP/File</div>LOS ANGELES -- Cooper Flagg scored 49 points -- the most ever by a teenager in a single NBA game -- but it was not enough to save the Dallas Mavericks from a 123-121 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday.On a dominant night, the 19-year-old forward who was the top pick in last year&#x27;s NBA Draft sank a clutch three-pointer to tie the score 121-121 with barely 30 seconds remaining.But in the game&#x27;s dying seconds, Flagg committed a turnover and immediately raced up the court and fouled fellow rookie star Kon Knueppel, who converted two free throws.And Flagg then missed a potential tying 20-foot jump shot in the game&#x27;s final action, to end his record-breaking night on a bittersweet note.Still, with his 49-point haul, Flagg blasted past a record set almost half a century ago by Cliff Robinson, who scored 45 points as a 19-year-old way back in 1980.It was a third consecutive loss for the Mavericks, but a fifth straight win for the lowly Hornets, who sit 11th in the Eastern Conference.Charlotte&#x27;s own star rookie Knueppel -- a college roommate and teammate of Flagg -- also managed a career-high night, with 34 points.Elsewhere, the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder slumped to a wire-to-wire 123-111 loss at the Minnesota Timberwolves, despite another 30-point haul from reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards said the thrashing was a measure of revenge for Minnesota&#x27;s loss to the Thunder in last year&#x27;s Western Conference finals.&quot;It&#x27;s personal for me, because they put us out last year, and they got the reigning MVP,&quot; Edwards said.&quot;And I think a win like this shows... if we bring our defensive intensity every night, we&#x27;re going to be alright.&quot;Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey combined for 77 points as the Philadelphia 76ers eked out a 113-111 victory over the Sacramento Kings.Maxey, 25, who has frequently outshone his more established teammates this year, passed the 40-point mark for the fifth time this season, adding eight assists and four rebounds.Cameroonian veteran Embiid poured in 37 points, but in the night&#x27;s decisive play passed the ball to his younger teammate, who drove to the basket and scored a game-winning layup with five seconds left on the clock.Dillon Brooks scored a career-best 40 points in a 114-96 victory for the Phoenix Suns over the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons.And the Washington Wizards triumphed 109-99 over the Milwaukee Bucks, who were without the injured Giannis Antetokounmpo -- subject of frenzied trade speculation ahead of next week&#x27;s deadline.

Cooper Flagg scored 49 points -- the most ever by a teenager in a single NBA game -- but it was not enough to save the Dallas Mavericks from a 123-121 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday.

Cooper Flagg scored 49 points -- the most ever by a teenager in a single NBA game -- but it was not enough to save the Dallas Mavericks from a 123-121 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday.

NBA: Cooper Flagg's 49 points not enough as Mavs fall to Hornets

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NBA: Cooper Flagg's 49 points not enough as Mavs fall to Hornets

Agence France-Presse

Published January 30, 2026 02:05 PM PHT

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