Jan. 20, 2026, 1:00 p.m. ET
Rookie Cooper Flagg returned from a two-game absence, helping the Dallas Mavericks to their fourth victory in five games on Monday in a matchup against the New York Knicks.
Flagg produced 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal in the 114-97 win on the road at Madison Square Garden. He went 7-of-14 from the field and 3-of-6 from the free-throw line and was a team-high plus-21 in 27 minutes, 46 seconds of action.
The No. 1 overall pick was sidelined for a pair of wins over the Utah Jazz due to a left ankle sprain suffered on Wednesday. He responded with an efficient outing, seemingly showing no rust or lingering effects from his prior injury.
“I felt great,” Flagg said. “Coming back, obviously, was a little restricted minutes-wise, but I felt great out there, didn’t second-guess it or anything out there; strength felt great.”
Flagg is averaging 18.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.3 steals on 47.8% shooting from the field in 41 games with the Mavericks. He is second in scoring among all rookies and is one of two first-year players with three 30-point performances.
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The two-time Western Conference Rookie of the Month has emerged as a leader on the court for the Mavericks, pacing the group in points, rebounds, assists and steals. He finished among the leaders in fan voting for the All-Star Game.
Flagg has been a bright spot for a Mavericks team battered by injuries. He is proving himself as a franchise cornerstone and impressing those around him in the process.
“I thought he was good,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “I thought his energy was good. He looked athletic. He wasn’t rusty; maybe the only part was his free throws. But besides that, he was Cooper Flagg tonight.”