DALLAS — The Mavericks’ injury concerns grew Wednesday after the team announced rookie forward/guard Cooper Flagg suffered a left midfoot sprain during Tuesday night’s matchup against Phoenix, creating another setback for a Dallas squad searching for consistency.
An MRI confirmed the injury, and Flagg will be unavailable for Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The rookie will also miss Friday’s Castrol Rising Stars event in Los Angeles, a stage that was expected to showcase one of the franchise’s promising young pieces.
For the Mavericks, the timing adds pressure to an already thin rotation. Dallas has leaned on its depth amid a difficult stretch, and Flagg’s absence removes a versatile option who has provided energy on both ends of the floor. His ability to defend multiple positions and push the pace has been valuable as the team looks to stabilize during a challenging run of games.
The organization did not provide a firm timetable for Flagg’s return, stating that further updates will come as his recovery progresses. In the meantime, Dallas will likely rely more heavily on its veteran core while younger contributors are asked to step into expanded roles.
As the Mavericks prepare for a tough matchup with the Lakers, the focus shifts to maintaining momentum without one of their emerging contributors — a test of depth and resilience as the season continues to unfold.
