Jan. 16, 2026, 8:28 p.m. ET
Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg has been listed as doubtful to play on Saturday in the second game of a back-to-back set against the Utah Jazz due to a sprained left ankle.
Flagg suffered the injury in the second quarter on Wednesday during a 118-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets at the American Airlines Center. He was ruled out of returning in the second half, recording six points, one rebound, one assist and one block in 14 minutes, 49 seconds.
The No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft was held out of action on Thursday against the Jazz, marking his second missed game of the season. The injury is reportedly not a significant concern, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
Flagg is averaging 18.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.3 steals on 47.8% shooting from the field in 40 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.
The two-time Western Conference Rookie of the Month has emerged as a leader for the Mavericks, leading the group in points, rebounds, assists and steals. He is the current front-runner to win Rookie of the Year and is also among the leaders in voting for the NBA All-Star Game.
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Without Flagg on Thursday, the Mavericks cruised to a 144-122 win over the Jazz behind a 26-point performance from Klay Thompson. They led by as many as 38 points after shooting 56.7% from the field, improving to 4-4 in January.