Cooper Flagg has been on a roller coaster of performances since his first season in the NBA.
The No. 1 pick had a disappointing debut, scoring just 10 points against the San Antonio Spurs.
After that, his performance improved, scoring 18 points against the Washington Wizards and 22 points against the Toronto Raptors.
However, in his final game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Flagg’s performance took a major step back with just two points.
What’s even more concerning is that Cooper Flagg had zero assists, only two rebounds, and missed all three-point shots against the Thunder.
While facing the reigning champions and one of the best defensive teams in the NBA might explain the struggles, Flagg revealed another factor.
After the match, Flagg revealed that the back-to-back matches were a shock to his system, leading to a decline in his performance.
“I think I just have to be prepared. I just have to find my routine and what works for me. I’ll get through it,” he explained.
“It was definitely a little flat tonight. I mean it was flat out all night.”
“I didn’t play like I thought I could as a rookie, but I had to find a way to overcome that and contribute to the win,” he added.
Despite his success in college, the competitive nature of the NBA is new territory for Flagg.
Surviving this challenge requires not only the talent that Flag has, but also proper preparation and match management strategies.
After the first consecutive set, Flagg finished with a shoulder. While not necessarily alarming, this physical strain indicates that rookies have difficulty adjusting to a professional schedule.
As Flagg acknowledged, he must be better prepared for these situations if he is to perform consistently and help the Mavericks win.