"Refs Just Cheated My Boy Cooper Flagg": Mavericks Fans Furious After No. 1 Pick's Breakout Game is Ruined by No Call

Cooper Flagg had a breakout game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, but it was overshadowed by a no-call late in the contest. With 17.9 seconds left, Flagg came off a screen with Kyle Kuzma chasing him and fell on an in-bounds play. Kuzma intercepted the pass and scored on the other end to give the Bucks a three-point lead.

Kuzma seemingly grabbed Flagg's jersey on that play, which led to the Mavericks rookie hitting the hardwood. The Mavericks could have taken the lead on that possession as the Bucks were out of fouls, and Flagg would have gone to the line, adding to his clutch total.

Before this play, he scored a phenomenal layup over Giannis Antetokounmpo to give the Mavericks a one-point lead with 29 seconds left.

However, the game ended 116-114 in the Bucks' favor. P.J. Washington had the chance to tie it up after Giannis Antetokounmpo fouled him on a 3-point play, but the forward only made his first shot from the line.

Here's how fans reacted to the refs' gaffe, overshadowing Flagg's breakout game with 26 points (career high), nine rebounds, four assists and two steals:

DUFF CO$MIC

@DuffCosmic

Cooper Flagg should’ve been at the line these refs would’ve called that for Giannis smh

Malcolm

@DaRealMQ

Refs just cheated my boy Cooper Flagg! Kuzma held his Jersey. This is crazy

Ethan

@EthanR_92

This is why we need AI to replace referees — Kyle Kuzma fouled Cooper Flagg, causing him to fall down… no call and 2 easy points for the Bucks. Referees need to be replaced by AI.

Analleline

@analleline

Watch the nba report tomorrow oops looks like Kuzma grabbed Cooper’s jersey and yanked him down we missed a game deciding foul my bad

Dallas Nation

@TheDallasNation

HOW DID THE REFS NOT CALL THIS A FOUL!? CLEARLY GRABBING COOPER FLAGG’S JERSEY

christa briana

@christabriana

Cooper got fouled there. Refs missed a big one.

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Cooper Flagg joins LeBron James in exclusive club after Bucks' showdown

Cooper Flagg took his time, but the Mavericks rookie has finally arrived. Only 18 years old, Flagg had to adapt plenty early on, playing an entirely new position as Dallas' full-time starting point guard. The Mavericks eventually moved him to his natural position, but he then struggled to find his rhythm.

On Monday, Flagg finally found his footing after a whirlwind first 10 games. He joined LeBron James as the only 18-year-olds to score at least 25 points in an NBA game.

MFFL

@Mavs_FFL

Cooper Flagg joins LeBron James as the only 18-year-olds ever to record a 25-point game 👏 #MFFL

While the Mavericks lost, Cooper Flagg matching fans' expectations could relieve some pressure on the organization amid severe scrutiny since the infamous Luka Doncic trade.

Anthony Davis could return next outing after missing six games. With Cooper Flagg playing like this and the Mavericks finding solutions to their shot creation woes, they could be in for a better stretch after winning only three times in their first 11 games.