Once again Jason Kidd’s passionate defense of star player got him thrown out of a game. On a night that had to be about Cooper Flagg’s brilliance, got overshadowed by the head coach’s argument with the referees. Instead of celebrating the 51-point outing against the Orlando Magic, Flagg had a somber mood after the 127-138 loss. It appears that officiating marred what should have been a career night for the 19-year-old.

Despite the Mavericks rookie becoming the first teenager in NBA history to score 51 points in a single game, the post-game conversation centered on a heated fourth-quarter sequence that saw head coach Jason Kidd and forward Naji Marshall tossed from the game.

Flagg had tried to draw a foul from Magic’s but it wasn’t called. That led to Kidd storming the floor to contest the non-call. That ended with a tech and immediate ejection for the Dallas HC.

Speaking after the game, Flagg revealed a private admission from his opponent that justified his coach’s outrage. “I think it was warranted. I’m not gonna lie, I talked to Bane after the play. He told me he was intentionally trying to foul me,” Flagg stated.

He further expressed his dismay in the officiating, saying, “How they didn’t see that, obviously must not have had the right view or they weren’t paying attention, but they missed it, so I think that type of reaction is warranted cause there’s not really an excuse.” It’s a touchy subject for him that even his mom has called out referees.

Flagg obviously backs his coach who went to bat for him. Unfortunately, this made a game that could cement the RoTY race for him a bittersweet memory.

Jason Kidd showed gratitude for Cooper Flagg and Naji Marshall

The Mavericks were on a 14-game home losing streak going into tonight’s game. It’s the longest they’ve had since the 1993-94 season. The frustration was a driving factor in tonight’s game.

The Mavs were behind by 20 points in the last quarter. It was already an uphill battle when Flagg tried to draw a foul on a play against Desmond Bane. But referees ignored it.

Kidd had to be held back by assistant coach, Frank Vogel and got a technical for arguing. It was followed by Naji Marshall also getting his second tech (his first was assessed at the end of the first half) in a bizarre fashion.

Bane was making a free throw to start the third quarter. Marshall was on the bench when the Magic guard made a layup when the referee whistled to give Naji a tech for defending Kidd previously.

For Bane to admit that there was a foul to be called there justifies Flagg’s and Kidd’s sentiments in the moment. Kidd even gave Naji props for it.

“Me and Naji gotta get kicked out more…” Kidd said in his post-game remarks. “Just understanding Naji protecting his coach. I’m trying to protect the players, I’m trying to protect Cooper on that play, there was clearly a foul that no one saw, and at some point, and today’s the day that we have to make sure that just doesn’t happen. And today, I’ve already gotten kicked out, so, donated some money. But there was a tough crew to watch. But, everybody has an off day, and we’ll learn from that. And hopefully they will.”

After those ejections, Flagg went on a tear. He went on a 24-point fourth-quarter barrage, finishing on a 19-of-30 shooting, surpassing his own previous career high of 49. It got the Mavericks within shooting distance but not enough to get a much-needed win. But the film review tonight won’t be about Flagg’s shooting or the fouls. It’s going to be about the looming debate on the no-calls on the RoTY frontrunner.