SNL pokes fun at Cooper Flagg's NBA record 49-point performance

Saturday Night Live couldn’t resist taking a swipe at Cooper Flagg after the Dallas Mavericks rookie delivered one of the best performances of the NBA season.

During the show’s Weekend Update segment, Michael Che referenced Flagg’s 49-point explosion with a blunt punchline that quickly became viral.

“Not a great start to Black History Month,” Che said, drawing laughter from the studio audience. This shows just how quickly the 19-year-old has entered the national conversation.

Flagg’s career night on Jan. 29 against the Charlotte Hornets was his latest highlight reel to an outstanding rookie season. The former Duke standout put up a career-high 49 points to go with 10 rebounds, three assists and a block, becoming the highest-scoring teenager in NBA history. 

Flagg’s outburst was also the highest rookie scoring game since Trae Young in 2019, further added to early-season buzz around the No. 1 overall pick. His arrival with the Dallas Mavericks is already putting him in a conversation few have entered in their career. 

However, earning a punchline on Saturday Night Live might be a big accomplishment, depending on who you ask. 

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