The rookie poured in a career-high 49 points with 10 rebounds as the Mavericks fell 123-121 to the Hornets on Sunday night. Flagg became the highest-scoring teenager in NBA history and set a new franchise rookie scoring record, eclipsing a mark previously shared with Mark Aguirre on the night his jersey was retired.
Flagg was electric from the opening tip, scoring 25 points by halftime and exploding for 23 in the second quarter alone. He reached 40 points before the end of the third, becoming the first teenager and rookie in the play-by-play era to do so.
Dallas got help off the bench as Klay Thompson finished with 16 points, including four 3-pointers, while Williams added 15. Caleb Martin chipped in a season-high 11 rebounds.
Charlotte survived behind timely shooting and late execution. Rookie Kon Knueppel knocked down eight 3-pointers to set a franchise record, and Brandon Miller scored 23 to extend his 20-point streak to nine straight games as the Hornets held on for their fifth consecutive win.
Despite Flagg’s unforgettable night, Dallas came up just short at the finish.
