Cooper Flagg Becomes Highest Scoring Teenager in NBA History

2026-01-30 general

Dallas, Friday, 30 January 2026.
The 19-year-old Mavericks rookie delivered a historic 49-point performance on 69% shooting, shattering the all-time NBA scoring record for a teenager during a narrow loss to Charlotte.

Shattering Records on an Efficient Night

On Thursday, January 29, Cooper Flagg redefined what is possible for a teenage athlete in the NBA. By registering 49 points against the Charlotte Hornets, the 19-year-old forward surpassed the previous league record for a teenager, a benchmark of 45 points set by Cliff Robinson for New Jersey back in March 1980 [1]. Flagg’s performance was not merely a volume scoring effort; it was a display of remarkable efficiency. He converted 20 of his 29 field goal attempts, resulting in a shooting percentage of 68.966 percent [1][4]. In addition to his scoring output, Flagg secured a double-double with 10 rebounds and contributed 3 assists in 38 minutes of play [3][4].

A Historic Duel of Duke Alumni

The narrative of the game extended beyond Flagg’s individual brilliance, highlighting a rare collegiate connection with Charlotte’s rookie, Kon Knueppel. The two were roommates as freshmen at Duke University during the previous season and were selected first and fourth overall, respectively, in the 2025 NBA Draft [1][2]. Knueppel matched the intensity of the evening by setting his own career high with 34 points, including a Hornets rookie record of eight made 3-pointers [1][2]. This offensive explosion marked the first instance in league history where a pair of opposing rookies from the same university each scored 30 or more points in the same game [1].

Elite Company and Franchise Value

From an analytical perspective, Flagg’s rookie campaign places him in the upper echelon of NBA history. At just 19 years old, he has now joined LeBron James and Anthony Edwards as one of only three players to record multiple 40-point games at age 19 or younger [2]. Prior to Thursday’s record-breaking night, Flagg had already posted a 42-point performance against Utah in December [1]. This consistency suggests that the Mavericks have secured a franchise cornerstone capable of elite production early in his tenure.

Sources

NBA sports