The Dallas Mavericks’ season continues to spiral, and on Wednesday night frustration finally boiled over this time from their 19-year-old franchise centerpiece, Cooper Flagg.
Flagg, who has been one of the few bright spots in Dallas following the fallout of the Luka Dončić trade, reached his breaking point during the Mavericks’ 112–107 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
“He hit me hard in my mouth,” Flagg snapped at the referee, stunned that no whistle was blown despite officials standing just steps away from the play.
The incident happened midway through the fourth quarter. With the Suns up 91–85, Flagg drove to the rim for a potential momentum-shifting bucket. His first attempt bounced off the glass.
Instead of a foul, play continued leaving Flagg clutching his mouth and staring in disbelief. The Mavericks’ bench reacted instantly, but the officials stayed silent.
Flagg has been on an incredible individual run, earning public praise from LeBron James and quickly cementing himself as one of the league’s rising monsters.
The Mavericks, now sinking further in the standings, could not overcome the Suns’ late pushes. The loss only deepened the team’s struggles since the blockbuster trade that sent Dončić out of Dallas.
While head coach Jason Kidd continues pushing Flagg as a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate, the teenager has recently admitted how challenging the season has been.
“It’s definitely tough… there were times at the start of the year where it was taking a big toll on me not personally, but mentally. You’ve got to learn how to lose and take positives away.”
Now, as the Mavericks attempt to salvage what’s left of their season, fans will be watching to see how Flagg responds both to the physical play and the emotional grind that comes with being the face of a rebuilding team.