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Flagg’s weekend flips Rookie of the Year odds decisively

PUBLISHED Apr 6, 2026, 1:00 AM ET

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Sources: 5

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Center 80%

Sources: 5

DALLAS — Cooper Flagg scored 45 points Sunday and followed a 51-point performance Friday, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 134-128 win over the Los Angeles Lakers and ending a 14-game home losing streak; DraftKings moved Flagg into the lead for Rookie of the Year. The immediate effects included DraftKings shifting odds to list Flagg as the favorite, heightened national attention on his rookie campaign, and postgame recognition from LeBron James; teams and bettors will watch upcoming games this week for further performance and award implications.

By James Porter | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

Friday: Cooper Flagg scored 51 points in a earlier game, setting a teenage record.
Sunday: Flagg scored 45 points with nine assists and eight rebounds versus the Lakers.
Sunday: Mavericks beat Lakers 134-128, ending a 14-game home losing streak.
After Sunday: DraftKings moved Flagg to -250, overtaking Kon Knueppel (+180).
Reporters and commentators compared Flagg’s early career arc to past young stars, including Allen Iverson and LeBron James.

News Intelligence

Cooper Flagg's performance could impact your sports bets. If you're a Mavericks fan, his rise could mean a stronger season. If you're a basketball lover, you're witnessing a potential new star's rise. Keep an eye on Flagg's next games.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 5
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 1
Neutral:: 4

Who Benefited

Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks benefited through heightened recognition, improved DraftKings odds, and a morale-boosting victory that ended a 14-game home losing streak.

Who Impacted

Kon Knueppel lost his leading Rookie of the Year odds position, and the injury-impacted Los Angeles Lakers suffered a road defeat despite LeBron James' strong statistical outing.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 5
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 1
Neutral:: 4
Distribution:: Left 20%, Center 80%, Right 0%

Who Benefited

Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks benefited through heightened recognition, improved DraftKings odds, and a morale-boosting victory that ended a 14-game home losing streak.

Who Impacted

Kon Knueppel lost his leading Rookie of the Year odds position, and the injury-impacted Los Angeles Lakers suffered a road defeat despite LeBron James' strong statistical outing.