Maybe there is hope for the Mavs, after all. Photo: Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks have one more win to cap off their abysmal season — the NBA named Cooper Flagg rookie of the year yesterday.
Why it matters: Flagg led all rookies in scoring this season, averaging 21 points per game. He was the first rookie since Michael Jordan to lead his team in total points, rebounds, assists and steals, per the league.
State of play: Kyrie Irving didn't play all season and other teammates struggled with their own injuries, allowing Flagg to take on more minutes.
He scored over 30 points in 10 games this season, giving the Mavs more reasons to "pledge allegiance to the Flagg." Earlier this month, he became the youngest NBA player to score over 50 points in a game.
How it works: Members of the media vote every year on the season's best rookie. Flagg's former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel, who plays for Charlotte, came in second this year.
Fun fact: Jason Kidd and Luka Dončić were the only other Mavericks to win the award.
What they're saying: "This season, it was a lot different going into it than what I was expecting ... Kind of getting thrown in the fire right away like that helped me long term and getting more comfortable," Flagg said in an interview yesterday.
