‘Just A Matter Of Time’: Dusty May Breaks Down Cooper Flagg’s Floater And Three-Point Shooting

DALLAS — Cooper Flagg is shooting 55.7% from the field through five games for the Dallas Mavericks, and Mavericks coach Dusty May credited Flagg’s floater and his passing out of the paint before Monday’s game against the Sacramento Kings.

Flagg is averaging 26.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.6 assists in 32.2 minutes. He has made 42 of his 62 two-point attempts and 29 of his 34 free throws. From three-point range, he is 7-of-26.

Several of those misses looked like they were going in, May said, and he believes Flagg is close to breaking out from beyond the arc.

“His touch, obviously, is incredible. His floater, I mean, he’s the best floater shooter in the league last year, especially, and I don’t give away too much, but when there’s not a guy into his body, there’s a great chance when he has enough space,” May said. “He just has the ball soft. He can elevate over you.”

“But also just the passing, when he does get in there and he doesn’t have as good of a look, he sprays it out and finds his open teammates. And I think that unselfishness is probably the biggest part of his efficient play offensively. He’s taking the right shots,” May continued.

“He’s really close to breaking out on his threes. He’s had a couple games, and he’s shot several that look like they’re going in that just haven’t dropped,” May added. “And so it’s just a matter of time, but he’s played at a high level and, like the rest of the guys, just needs to continue to make incremental gains and get better.”

Cooper Flagg’s 33 Points Against Houston

Flagg scored 33 points on 13-of-19 shooting in Friday’s 116-111 win over the Houston Rockets and added 9 rebounds and 6 assists in 38 minutes. He went 0-of-4 from three-point range and 7-of-10 at the free-throw line.

Two nights earlier, he had 26 points and 8 assists in a 120-96 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. On Oct. 26, he had 29 points and 11 assists in a 113-109 win at the Miami Heat.

Flagg missed the Oct. 24 loss to the San Antonio Spurs after he left the Oct. 23 win at Indiana in the first half. Dallas has won all three games since he returned.

Flagg Won Rookie Of The Year Last Season

Flagg was named the 2025-26 Rookie of the Year in April. He received 56 of the 100 first-place votes and finished with 412 points, 26 ahead of the runner-up.

Dallas drafted Flagg first overall in 2025, and he averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 70 games as a rookie. The Mavericks finished 26-56.

Tip-off against Sacramento is set for 7 p.m. CT at American Airlines Center. Dallas plays at San Antonio on Wednesday and hosts the Utah Jazz on Friday in NBA Cup group play.