LeBron James has voiced his “love” for Cooper Flagg’s performances after the 19-year-old scored 45 factors within the Dallas Mavericks’ 134-128 house win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
The Mavericks are twelfth within the Western Convention however handed the third-placed Lakers a second straight defeat regardless of James scoring 30 in reply within the absence of the injured Luka Doncic.
“He seems like he loves the sport,” James mentioned of first total draft decide Flagg. “He’s placing within the work.
“Cooper’s been in a zone over the past couple of video games, however he’s additionally simply been taking part in constant basketball all yr.”
Evaluation: LeBron James on Cooper Flagg’s rise
James mentioned he had tracked Flagg from the ahead’s highschool days in Maine to his school exploits with Duke earlier than coming into the NBA.
“I knew he was particular from there,” mentioned the four-time NBA Most Beneficial Participant. “He’s simply getting higher and higher and higher.
“I like what he’s doing; I like what he’s bringing to this franchise. It’s simply nice to place the ball in anyone’s fingers to allow them to undergo the tough patches.
“While you undergo the tough patches, it permits you to develop at a fee quicker than different gamers. And that’s what [late coach] Paul Silas, relaxation his soul, did for me [at the Cleveland Cavaliers] in my rookie yr [in 2003].
“I mainly began at level guard early on and he allowed me to make errors and play in opposition to powerful defenses and issues like that.
“I needed to make the reads or no matter, so I see similarities in that… that’s what I used to be making an attempt to repair. It’s nice to see [Flagg go] from early within the season to the place he’s as we speak, as a fan of him and a fan of the sport.”
Cooper Flagg: LeBron ‘one of many biggest’
Flagg and James had been “exhibiting respect” after they spoke on court docket after the sport, the prodigy defined.
“They are going to have extra of a season than us left they usually’ll go into the play-offs,” mentioned Flagg. “So good luck to them and and whoever they face.
“I used to be a bit child watching him undergo his entire profession, so, it’s actually spectacular, to start with, simply to look at him and see him have the ability to do the issues that he’s nonetheless capable of do on the market.
“It’s a dream come. These are the moments, these are the instances like to have the ability to match up in opposition to anyone like that, with the profession he’s had.
“He’s one of many biggest, so it’s unbelievable… I grew up watching and idolizing him.”
NBA outcomes: Steph Curry ‘very grateful’ after Rockets vs Warriors
Elsewhere within the NBA, Kevin Durant scored a game-leading 31 factors and located Alperen Sengun for the game-winning basket with 11.1 seconds remaining because the Houston Rockets beat the Golden State Warriors 117-116 on the Chase Middle.
Stephen Curry contributed 29 factors for the Warriors after lacking 27 video games with a right-knee harm.
“I felt good,” mentioned Curry, who performed for 26 minutes and felt he improved as his efficiency went on.
“There have been some good nerves going into it. Coming off the bench, you’re making an attempt to tempo your self bodily and mentally.
“After all of the work you set in in rehab to get via… I used to be very grateful, for certain.”
Listed here are the newest NBA outcomes from the weekend of April 5, 2026.
| Consequence |
| Golden State Warriors 116-117 Houston Rockets |
| Dallas Mavericks 134-128 LA Lakers |
| Milwaukee Bucks 131-115 Memphis Grizzlies |
| Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder 146-111 Utah Jazz |
| Brooklyn Nets 121-115 Washington Wizards |
| Minnesota Timberwolves 108-122 Charlotte Hornets |
| New Orleans Pelicans 108-112 Orlando Magic |
| Boston Celtics 115-101 Toronto Raptors |
| Cleveland Cavaliers 117-108 Indiana Pacers |
| Philadelphia 76ers 93-116 Detroit Pistons |
| Chicago Bulls 110-120 Phoenix Suns |
NBA standings, playoffs bracket: How the image seems
If the common season had ended after the newest spherical of video games, the Miami Warmth would meet the Orlando Magic and the Toronto Raptors would encounter the Charlotte Hornets in play-in matches.
The Portland Path Blazers would face the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns would additionally tackle the LA Clippers in these video games.
The confirmed first spherical play-off video games would come with the Lakers in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Cleveland Cavaliers in opposition to the Atlanta Hawks, the Rockets in opposition to the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers.
You will discover the newest play-off image and standings on the NBA’s website.
