Cooper Flagg gets heartfelt praise from Warriors legend Stephen Curry after Mavericks’ Christmas Game loss

Cooper Flagg’s first Christmas Day appearance puts him under immense pressure. The Dallas Mavericks rookie did not lose his cool despite the team being hit with a major Anthony Davis injury setback. Flagg delivered his most complete performance on one of the league’s biggest stages against the veteran Golden State Warriors team.The Mavericks fell 126-116 in San Francisco, but Flagg’s impact stood out well beyond the final score. His composure, shot selection, and control in traffic drew attention throughout the game. After the final buzzer, Stephen Curry offered some kind words for Flagg.Stephen Curry, who led the Warriors with 23 points and sealed the game late with a deep three-pointer, took time after the game to recognize Cooper Flagg’s presence and mindset."Just a true hooper. Competitor. He forgets how young he is. The future is bright, I'm glad that he got this experience his first year. The league is in good hands," Curry said after the game.Curry hit nine free throws and navigated defensive pressure, while Flagg matched him possession for possession during key moments. Golden State leaned on balanced scoring, including 14 points from Al Horford and 16 from DeAnthony Melton, to secure its third straight win.Flagg finished with a game-high 27 points on 13-for-21 shooting, adding six rebounds and a team-leading five assists in his Christmas Day debut. He scored at all three levels, attacked closeouts, and created opportunities when Golden State’s defense tightened. His lone three-pointer came within the flow of the offense, and his decision-making kept Dallas within reach during key stretches.The Mavericks faced challenges early after Anthony Davis exited in the second quarter with right groin spasms. With Dallas losing a primary option, Flagg assumed added responsibility. During a prolonged second-half run where the Warriors struggled from deep, Dallas trimmed the deficit to six points with 4:28 remaining. Flagg’s poise fueled that push, even as Golden State ultimately regained control behind timely plays from Curry and Gary Payton II.Dallas made only four three-pointers as a team and was outscored heavily from beyond the arc. Even so, Flagg’s efficiency and command helped stabilize the offense. P.J. Washington recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Brandon Williams added 26 off the bench. As for Flagg, earning heartwarming praise from Curry is far from easy, but his astonishing rise proved that he's here to dominate.Also Read: Karl-Anthony Towns makes Jordyn Woods’ Christmas unforgettable with a skyline proposal