Dallas Mavericks Cooper Flagg (Image via Getty) Cooper Flagg is expected to be on the court tonight. He is no longer listed on the injury report and is available to play after missing the last game to manage a sore left ankle.Dallas Mavericks held him out of the previous matchup as a precaution. There have been no new issues since then, and unless something changes during warmups, he will return to the starting lineup against Charlotte.
How Cooper Flagg’s ankle issue started
Cooper Flagg hurt his left ankle in a game against the Denver Nuggets on January 14. He left that game early and then sat out the next two contests. He came back and played three games in a row. After that, the team chose to rest him in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on the first night of a back-to-back set. The team has treated the ankle as something to manage, not a new injury. Earlier in the week he was listed as questionable, but by game day he was removed from the report.
What Cooper’s return gives Dallas Mavericks
With Flagg back, the Dallas Mavericks get a key defender and an extra ball-handler. In his last eight games he has averaged about 18 points, six rebounds, four assists and one and a half steals in around 30 minutes per game. He has played both on the wing and as a forward who can start the offense.Dallas is still without several regulars, including Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively II, Dante Exum and Anthony Davis. Even so, adding Flagg back helps steady the rotation.
Why Dallas Mavericks have been careful with Cooper Flagg
The Dallas Mavericks do not want a minor ankle problem to turn into something bigger. Resting Cooper Flagg on back-to-backs is part of that plan. His game relies on quick movement and strong defense on the perimeter. Giving him extra recovery time now is meant to keep him healthy for the rest of the season. That is why he was held out earlier in the week even though he had already returned once from the injury.
What to look for in the Charlotte Hornets vs Dallas Mavericks game (January 29, 2026)
Cooper Flagg’s minutes will likely be watched. Expect him to play around 30 minutes unless the game is very close late. On defense, he could spend a lot of time on one of Charlotte’s main scorers, such as Brandon Miller or Josh Green.Also read: Is LaMelo Ball playing tonight vs the Dallas Mavericks? Latest update on the Charlotte Hornets star’s injury report (January 29, 2026)On offense, with Irving out, he may handle the ball more often. He can bring the ball up the floor, make simple passes, and keep the attack moving. If he were to be ruled out at the last moment, it would likely be just another precaution based on how the ankle feels before tip-off. For now, he is cleared and set to play.