The Dallas Mavericks feel that Cooper Flagg isn’t getting the benefit of the whistle when attacking the basket, and statistical evidence may support that belief, according to Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News.
Curtis points out that Flagg averages 11.9 drives to the rim per game, matching the frequency of Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards.
Despite that, the top pick is drawing just 1.8 free throw attempts per game on those drives, well below Edwards’ 3.3.
“You just gotta play through it,” the former Duke star said. “It’s not the first time in my life that I probably haven’t gotten calls and it probably won’t be the last.”
Head coach Jason Kidd took a far more outspoken stance following Saturday’s loss to the Houston Rockets, criticizing the officiating after what he believed was a missed foul involving Amen Thompson.
Former team owner Mark Cuban echoed those frustrations as well.
“He’s going to continue to keep going until he hears the whistle,” Kidd said. “There were a lot of fouls missed with this young man. Maybe they just don’t know his game yet, but that’s who he is. He’s going to continue. He’s not going to get discouraged.”
Despite the complaints, the league upheld the non-call in question in its most recent NBA last two-minute report.
Southwest Notes: Poole, Hawkins, Flagg, Durant https://t.co/QyWgQeFtlj pic.twitter.com/eu3gPsqzzh
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) February 2, 2026
