"I Know Who I Am": Cooper Flagg Turns Heads With Defiant Statement After Career Night Against Giannis Antetokounmpo 

Dallas Mavericks No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg issued a defiant statement after recording his best NBA game against two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo on Monday. The Mavericks lost 116-114, but Flagg had 26 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block on 60.0% shooting.

He also hit the go-ahead shot on Antetokounmpo with 29 seconds left, giving Dallas a one-point lead. Flagg and Co. couldn't hold on to their advantage after the rookie committed a pivotal turnover after a potential no-call by the refs, resulting in Milwaukee taking a three-point lead.

The Mavericks were still in it after Giannis Antetokounmpo fouled P.J. Washington on the last possession, but the forward only made one free throw and the Bucks won by two. Dallas fell to 3-8.

For Cooper Flagg, he hasn't been in the loss column as much after a terrific high school and college run, where collective success wasn't hard to find. Nevertheless, he has remained level-headed and vowed to reach his ceiling after a subpar run.

"I think that’s the tough part. I think previously, obviously, you have bad games, you don’t play up to your standard, it’s a little easier to look past and kind of move on from when your team is winning and you're able to get those wins," Flagg told reporters after the game on Monday (via Mavericks).

He continued:

"All I can do is keep working, keep showing up, keep getting in the gym, trusting the reps, trusting the work, getting with the coaches, watching film and just continue to be confident. I know who I am and what I'm capable of."

Cooper Flagg entered the NBA as a generational prospect and consensus No. 1 pick. The 18-year-old has developed at a relatively slower pace. Before Monday's contest, he was averaging 13.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists on 40.3% shooting.

However, with a breakout game under his belt, Flagg will look to use the momentum ahead of a long season with 71 games left in the regular season.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo hails Cooper Flagg after epic duel

Giannis Antetokounmpo was impressed with Cooper Flagg after their first meeting ever, after dueling the rookie and dropping 30 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three blocks on 61.1% shooting.

The Bucks star hailed Flagg's all-around play, predicting that he had a high ceiling. Here's Antetokounmpo's breakdown of the Mavericks rookie's game (via Bucks):

"High IQ, can read plays, can read plays, can get downhill."

Giannis Antetokounmpo also spoke highly of his former and Mavericks current coach, Jason Kidd, who played an instrumental role in his rise as a young player. Antetokounmpo believes Kidd's guidance will elevate Cooper Flagg after the trust he's showing in the former Duke star in clutch situations.

Antetokounmpo added that there have been several talented players who never scaled their potential due to limited exposure, but Flagg won't experience that due to Kidd and his staff.