Mavericks' Rookie Sensation Cooper Flagg Faces Off Against College Foe on Christmas Day

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Dallas Mavericks' star rookie Cooper Flagg is set to face a familiar foe when his team takes on the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day. The 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick will have a chance to exact revenge against Will Richard, who helped Florida beat Auburn in the 2023 Final Four semifinals, eight months after Flagg's Duke team fell short. Flagg, who averaged 19.2 points and 6.4 rebounds in his first 30 games with the Mavericks, has already made a name for himself in the league. He outscored Richard 27-26 in the national semifinal and has topped 30 points three times, including a 33-point performance against the Denver Nuggets last week. The Warriors, who are looking to break their two-game losing streak on Christmas, will feature a lineup that includes Will Richard, who was drafted 56th overall. Richard has averaged 8.1 points and 2.7 rebounds in his first 25 games and has shown flashes of brilliance, including a 30-point game against the Sacramento Kings. Meanwhile, the Mavericks are looking to build on their recent success, having won seven of their last 11 games. Flagg has averaged 25.1 points on 53.4% shooting in those games, and his teammates and opponents alike have taken notice of his impressive performances. The Warriors, who will be a featured TV attraction on Christmas for the 13th straight year, are looking to bounce back from their recent losses. They will be energized by a two-game winning streak, which included a heated argument between Draymond Green and coach Steve Kerr on Monday. However, their focus will be on the return of Al Horford, who is listed as probable to play for the first time since December 4. The 39-year-old big man has struggled to find his footing in his first 13 games with the Warriors, but he remains optimistic about his chances of improving his performance.