Instant Reactions: Cooper Flagg shines in a Mavericks loss

Mavericks wing Cooper Flagg took one look at 32-year-old Kyle Anderson and knew he could blow by him.

So he did.

Flagg drove left, floated the ball in and absorbed contact for an and-one. He stared at his left hand as he walked to the free-throw line.

Flagg made so many left-handed finishes that Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy may have wondered if the scouting report was wrong.

Later, with a chance to bring Dallas within one, Flagg attacked the rim again and drew a foul. He missed the shot, but Max Christie made two free throws to tie the game.

Flagg had a career-high 42 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Jazz beat the Mavericks 140-133 in overtime on Monday.

He had 24 points, four rebounds and four assists before halftime, becoming the fifth Mavericks player to achieve that feat in a single half. Also, he became the first 18-year-old in NBA history to score over 40 points.