Cooper Flagg joins Michael Jordan on a rare rookie pace achieved by few in NBA history

Cooper Flagg is joining Michael Jordan on an exclusive rookie trajectory achieved by only a select few in NBA history.

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix SunsAP

Flagg is set to be the youngest participant on the Rising Stars roster during NBA All-Star Weekend.

The NBA is officially taking a break as the league gathers in Los Angeles for an All-Star Weekend that carries extra significance this year. While over half of the teams will use the pause to rest and prepare for the upcoming playoff push, the league’s top players — along with several standout young talents — will be in the spotlight.

Alongside the three-point contest and the Slam Dunk competition, the centerpiece is the reimagined All-Star Game. By adopting a “Team USA vs. Team World” format, the NBA is aiming to reignite the competitive intensity that once made the showcase a cultural phenomenon.

Joining the Greats: Cooper Flagg’s Historic Rookie Production

The Rising Stars Game was expected to feature the league’s youngest player and the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg. For the Dallas Mavericks, Flagg has been the lone bright spot in a season shaped by the aftermath of Luka Dončić’s trade to the Lakers.

Despite Dallas’ struggles, Flagg’s personal performance has been remarkable. Posting averages of 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, he has reached a level of efficiency rarely seen from first-year players.

According to SportRadar research spanning the past six decades, only a small group of rookies have averaged at least 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists prior to the All-Star break. The list features legends:

Michael Jordan (1985 Bulls): 28.2 PPG / 6.5 RPG / 5.9 APG
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1970 Bucks): 28.8 PPG / 14.5 RPG / 4.1 APG
Sidney Wicks (1972 Trail Blazers): 24.5 PPG / 11.5 RPG / 4.3 APG
Luka Dončić (2019 Mavericks): 21.2 PPG / 7.8 RPG / 6.0 APG
Cooper Flagg (2025 Mavericks): 20.4 PPG / 6.6 RPG / 4.1 APG

Notably, Flagg and Dončić are the only two players in the past 40 years to accomplish this feat. While speculation lingers about how things might have unfolded had Dončić remained in Dallas, Flagg’s debut season indicates the franchise may be well-positioned for the future.

Flagg’s Injury and Dallas’ Long-Term Vision for 2026

However, Flagg’s surge hit a setback this week. The Mavericks revealed that an MRI showed a left midfoot sprain, sidelining him for the matchup against the Lakers and the Castrol Rising Stars Game on Friday. Though disappointing for fans hoping to see him shine on a national stage, the organization is focused on safeguarding their franchise cornerstone.

The Mavericks appear confident in Flagg’s potential, which is why they have already dealt Anthony Davis as part of a broader offseason restructuring centered entirely around their rookie star.

In a twist, Dallas’ final contest before the break comes against the Lakers in Los Angeles — yet neither the team’s past nor its future will suit up. Flagg remains out, and Dončić is expected to miss his fourth consecutive game while continuing his rehab. Supporters of Team World are hoping Luka can recover in time to make an appearance in Sunday’s marquee event.