Rookie Cooper Flagg Meets Idol Jayson Tatum in Celtics Return

Cooper Flagg spoke about the moment he faced Jayson Tatum after the Mavericks’ 120-100 loss, calling it “It's incredible” and saying Tatum was “someone I idolized growing up.” Flagg, the No. 1 pick and Rookie of the Year frontrunner (20.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists), has returned from a foot injury and put up 16-8-6 Friday. Tatum made his first game back from an Achilles tear and finished 15-12-7, a reminder he can still tilt a game. Merlin sees a neat echo: both came from Duke and both show how quickly a young star can shape a franchise. Tatum’s return lifts Boston now, while Flagg’s growth will determine if Dallas moves from hopeful to dangerous. Health and poise will write the next chapter.