Cooper Flagg has been making headlines for his performances on the basketball court throughout his young NBA career. But recently, the Dallas Mavericks star has attracted attention for something considerably less spectacular: eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches during games.
And as it turns out, there is a perfectly reasonable explanation behind his unusual new routine.
During Dallas’ last two victories, against the Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets, cameras caught Flagg enjoying a PB&J sandwich while sitting on the bench. The images quickly circulated across social media, leaving fans wondering whether the 19-year-old had developed a new superstition or simply couldn’t wait until after the final buzzer to eat.
Following Sunday’s convincing 130-93 victory over Brooklyn, Flagg finally explained what was going on.
“I’m trying to put on some weight, keep gaining muscle,” he told reporters, crediting the Mavericks’ strength and medical staffs for helping him develop an appropriate nutritional routine.
Asked Cooper Flagg about his dunk over Noah Clowney & he was subsequently asked about his 2 straight games with a PB&J sandwich:
“I wanna give a shoutout to our strength staff, our medical staff. They’re the best in the business and I’m trying to put on some weight & keep gaining muscle. Those are requirements I gotta meet & I’m just trying to stay ahead of it.”
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) November 9, 2026
The sandwiches, he explained, are part of a deliberate effort to meet his daily calorie requirements while navigating the physical demands of an NBA season.
With Dallas scheduled to play the Indiana Pacers the following evening, Flagg wanted to ensure he was adequately fueled and prepared for another game.
His preferred combination is fairly traditional: smooth peanut butter and grape jelly. However, the young forward also revealed that he occasionally replaces the jelly with bananas and adds honey, suggesting he has given considerable thought to his courtside snack selection.
While the sight of a professional basketball player eating a sandwich during an NBA game might seem amusing, the reasoning behind it is anything but unusual.
At 6-foot-9, Flagg is still developing physically, and increasing his strength without compromising his mobility has become an important part of his progression.
Teammate Daniel Gafford confirmed that Flagg takes his physical development seriously, revealing that the young star regularly works in the weight room. And his commitment appears to be paying off.
Against Brooklyn, Flagg delivered another outstanding all-around performance, finishing with 25 points, five rebounds and a career-high 12 assists while shooting 8-of-13 from the field.
Dallas improved to 6-4 with the victory, while Flagg continued to demonstrate the versatility that helped him earn Rookie of the Year honors last season.
