STEPH CURRY'S "TRUE HOOPER" VERDICT ON COOPER FLAGG. IS HE THE NEXT GOAT?
Steph Curry hails Cooper Flagg as a "true hooper" after the rookie's historic 27-point Christmas debut. See the full NBA reaction.
After the Warriors beat the Mavericks 126-116 on Christmas, Steph Curry had some good things to say about Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg. It was Curry's fifth Christmas Day win and his 12th game playing on the holiday.
Curry said Flagg is a real player and a competitor, and it's easy to forget how young he is. He also said Flagg has a bright future. “I’m glad he got this experience his first year and understands what the bright lights feel like. The league is in good hands.”
Flagg topped all scorers with 27 points in his Christmas Day debut, hitting 13 of 21 shots. He also grabbed six rebounds and dished out five assists. He really stepped up on a big stage and is already getting props from other NBA superstars.
Curry didn't hold anything back, calling Flagg a true hooper”. Flagg started slow, with just two points in the first quarter, but then took off. He joined LeBron James as the only teens ever to score at least 25 points on Christmas.
The 19-year-old also made some history, becoming the first rookie since Pete Maravich in 1970 to put up at least 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists on Christmas Day. So far this season, Flagg is averaging 19.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 31 games. He's the team's second-leading scorer and third-best rebounder, proving why he was the top pick in the 2025 draft.
In a game against the Denver Nuggets a couple of days before Christmas, Flagg almost had a triple-double with 33 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. He also nailed a season-high four three-pointers, which helped Dallas win 131-130.
Flagg plays with a lot of poise, is comfortable handling the ball, and makes good decisions on offense. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd talked about Flagg after the Warriors game.
Kidd stated Flagg was doing everything off the pick and roll; he was playing at a very high level for the team, and they needed that.
Curry knew about Flagg way back when he was in high school, where he was the number one recruit in the class of 2024. He was named Gatorade National Player of the Year.
Flagg attended Curry’s elite camp in 2023 and impressed many. The camp had other top high schoolers, and even Curry joined in on some scrimmages.
Flagg has been in the spotlight for a while now, and he keeps showing why he's so good.
KENDRICK BOURNE REVEALS THE STRICT DISCIPLINE THAT SPARKED THE PATRIOTS' TURNAROUND
Kendrick Bourne speaks out! Discover why he thinks Mike Vrabel is the right fit and why he’s eyeing a 2026 return to the 49ers.
Kendrick Bourne’s path through the NFL has zigzagged all over – some highs, plenty of lows, and now, another fresh start. He took a shot with the Patriots in 2025 after building his reputation with the 49ers. But honestly, that New England chapter ended before it even got going. Bourne didn’t just slip out the back door. He left with a lot to say about what he saw brewing in New England as Mike Vrabel took charge.
Once Vrabel arrived, you didn’t need to listen for rumours about a culture shift; it was obvious. Bourne noticed right away. He’s already got his eyes set on home, back with the 49ers, but even from a distance, he could see the Patriots were heading somewhere new long before their record showed it.
Talking about his exit from New England, Bourne didn’t sugarcoat anything. Losing the job itself wasn’t the hardest part. What stung was watching Vrabel put his stamp on the team, laying down the kind of structure and discipline Bourne knew would eventually pay off. He was blunt; things just felt different under Vrabel compared to before.
He put it like this: “After going through OTAs and camp with Vrabes, you just knew. Nothing against Mayo, but he just wasn’t ready. With Vrabes, the structure was totally different in how we studied, how we met, and just the whole vibe. Honestly, I was sad about it.”
This wasn’t just a guy being bitter. Bourne respected what was happening in New England and genuinely wished he could have been part of it, especially with a Super Bowl push on the horizon. He even admitted he’d wanted to be in that locker room when the Patriots finally made it back to the big stage.
Now he’s back with the 49ers, hoping to stick around. At 30, Bourne wants a new contract in San Francisco. He had a solid 2025, racked up 551 yards, picked up a contract bonus, and gave the offence a spark. The 49ers needed reliable hands, and Bourne delivered. He’s clear: he wants to stay, but only if the deal makes sense for him.
So now, the offseason gets interesting. Bourne knows where he fits best, but he’s still keeping an eye on what’s building in New England. That mix of looking back and chasing what’s next makes this part of his career one to pay attention to.
MRI SCARE: STEVE KERR ADMITS STEPH CURRY’S "NEBULOUS" KNEE MAY REQUIRE SECOND IMAGING
Warriors crisis! Discover why Steph Curry may need another MRI and how Jimmy Butler’s ACL tear shifts GSW to the play-in.
The Warriors have been scrambling since Jimmy Butler went down with that ACL tear. He’s done for the year, and now Stephen Curry has to carry the offence on his own.
Right after the All-Star break, the Warriors are sitting in eighth place out West. That’s already shaky, and now Curry’s dealing with a knee injury too. The team calls it runner's knee; basically, he just needs time to heal. But then Steve Kerr gave an update that didn’t exactly inspire confidence.
Turns out, Curry might need another MRI. He tried to push through a full workout, but his knee just wasn’t right. Now, they’re waiting on imaging to figure out how long he’ll actually be out.
Meanwhile, Kristaps Porzingis still hasn’t suited up for Golden State. If Curry misses significant time, everyone else needs to step up in a big way. The Warriors already have one of the most average offences in the league, 15th at the break. No curry, and things get ugly fast. He’s already missed 16 games this season, and the team went 6-10 without him.
Losing Butler already knocked the Warriors out of serious contention. They’re pretty much locked into the play-in. Unless Curry suddenly goes supernova, it’s hard to see them catching the Thunder or making any real noise out West.
So, what’s next? The front office tried to swing big at the deadline, going after Giannis Antetokounmpo, though who knows if the Bucks ever really considered it. Giannis stayed put, but you can bet the Warriors will chase him again this summer.
If that doesn’t work, they’ll turn to other stars. They know the championship window is closing with Curry still on the roster. He’s still elite, but time’s ticking.
LeBron James even comes up as a possibility. If he declines his player option and hits free agency, maybe he’d team up with Curry for one last run at a ring.
Most likely, though, Golden State will look at trades instead of free agents to try to reload. Curry’s health isn’t what it used to be, and the Warriors know they have to make the most of whatever prime he’s got left.