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DALLAS – History was made Friday night at the American Airlines Center. So was more frustration for the Dallas Mavericks.

Rookie sensation Cooper Flagg became the youngest player in NBA history to score 50 or more points, erupting for 51 in a 138–127 loss to the Orlando Magic. The 19-year-old forward broke his own record for the highest-scoring game by a teenager, topping the 49 he poured in just nine days earlier against the Charlotte Hornets.

But the milestone came with a bitter backdrop: Dallas lost its 14th consecutive home game, a stunning collapse for a franchise that opened the season with championship aspirations.

“He should be rookie of the year,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said after the game. “The country is not watching the same thing we get to watch on a daily basis. He’s in rare air.”

A Fourth-Quarter Blitz for the Ages

Flagg entered the final frame with a quiet-by-his-standards 27 points. Then he exploded for 24 points in the fourth quarter, single-handedly trying to drag the Mavericks back from a double-digit deficit.

He appeared to check out for good with 3:35 remaining, Dallas down by 17. But 13 seconds later, he was back on the floor. The message was clear: get to 50.

Flagg drilled a three from the right corner, then converted a ferocious and-1 layup with 2:05 left to push his total to 51. The crowd, which had been restless through another difficult loss, rose to salute the 19-year-old.

The previous youngest player to score 50 points was Brandon Jennings, who dropped 55 for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2009 at 20 years and 52 days old. Flagg is 19 years and 103 days old.

“He’s not just a rookie putting up numbers on a bad team,” said Magic guard Jalen Suggs. “He’s a superstar. Tonight he was unstoppable.”

Kidd Ejected, Flagg Keeps Going

The fourth quarter also saw Kidd’s night end early. With 10:45 remaining, the Mavericks’ head coach stormed onto the floor after a non-call on a drive by Flagg. Replays showed Magic guard Desmond Bane pushing Flagg in the back as he drove to the basket – no whistle.

Kidd was ejected immediately.

“I thought it was obvious,” Kidd said postgame. “But that didn’t stop Coop. He just kept attacking.”

Indeed, Flagg attempted a career-high 33 field goals, making 17, and knocked down 7 of 13 three-point attempts. He added 8 rebounds and 5 assists in 41 minutes.

Rookie of the Year Race All But Over?

Flagg now leads all rookies in scoring (28.4 PPG), rebounds (8.9), and assists (6.2). He’s already set the Mavericks’ franchise record for most 30-point games by a rookie – and now he owns an NBA age record that could stand for decades.

Voters have taken notice.

“I’m not thinking about awards,” Flagg said after the game. “We’re losing, and that’s on all of us. But I’ll never stop competing. Tonight I just tried to will us back.”

The Mavericks (19–38) have now lost 14 straight at home – the longest active streak in the league. They’ve fallen to 13th in the Western Conference, and playoff hopes are fading fast.

But on a night when Cooper Flagg carved his name into the NBA record book, the future suddenly looks a little brighter in Dallas – even if the present remains painfully difficult.