Mavericks Beat Rockets as Flagg Draws Durant Praise

In a standout performance during the Dallas Mavericks' 122-109 victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night at the American Airlines Center, rookie forward Cooper Flagg traded shots with veteran star Kevin Durant, earning high praise from the future Hall of Famer after the game.

The 18-year-old Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in last June's draft, contributed 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks without committing a turnover or foul. Durant led the Rockets with 27 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in the loss, but he focused his postgame comments on Flagg's growth. "Just from watching his film, he's finally figuring it out," Durant said. "He can shoot the jump shot off the middy, he can shoot the 3, he can get to the rim. I love his game. He's playing a well-rounded game."

Flagg's emergence has fueled the Mavericks' recent surge, as they won four of their last five games, including triumphs over Western Conference contenders Oklahoma City, Denver and now Houston. Dallas improved to 9-6 in the West, bouncing back from a slow start to the season. The rookie is averaging 17.8 points per game, second among qualified first-year players, and has...