‘Put On Some Weight’: Cooper Flagg Explains In-Game PB&J During Dallas Mavericks’ Rout Of Brooklyn Nets
DALLAS — Cooper Flagg had 25 points and a career-high 12 assists in the Dallas Mavericks’ 130-93 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night. He also ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich during the game.
Flagg is in his second NBA season and is listed at 6-foot-9 and 205 pounds. With the Mavericks playing again Monday, Flagg said he is trying to stay ahead on calories.
“Listen, I thought about this,” Flagg said. “I want to give a shout out to our strength staff. Our medical staff, they’re the best in the business, and I’m trying to put on some weight, keep gaining muscle. So those requirements I got to meet, and I’m just trying to stay ahead of it. We got another game tomorrow, so just trying to get my calories and stay ahead of it, and be ready for another one tomorrow.”
Flagg sticks with grape jelly. The peanut butter has to be smooth.
“I can’t do the crunchy,” Flagg explained.
Daniel Gafford On Cooper Flagg’s Offseason Work
Daniel Gafford, in his eighth NBA season, finished with 18 points Sunday. Flagg lifts every day, Gafford said.
“Had the opportunity to really just go against him throughout the offseason, and trust me, I was tired after every practice,” Gafford said. “So it’s like, going against a guy like him, man, he works in the weight room every day, and I’m pretty sure he’s building his body mass throughout this season. So, I mean, it was shown on full display tonight.”
Flagg was the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and won Rookie of the Year last season, when he led Dallas in total points, rebounds, assists, and steals.
Flagg’s Workload Before Monday’s Back-To-Back Finale
Flagg played 28 minutes, 25 seconds and checked out for good with 8:28 left in the fourth quarter. He logged 40:02 at San Antonio on Wednesday and 32:41 against Utah on Friday.
By the time Mavericks coach Dusty May got to the locker room, he said, some players were already heading out to get treatment.
“I’d love to do this every night if possible,” May said. “No, obviously, to not have to go to the wire, it’s less taxing mentally and physically, and we were able to play some guys and, when we got to the locker room, there were already players ready to hit the road and get out, get their treatment and leave.”
“So hopefully they get a good night’s rest,” May continued. “We can come in and replicate this energy tomorrow night. I thought our crowd was awesome as well.”
The Mavericks host the Indiana Pacers at 7 p.m. CT on Monday.
