MINNEAPOLIS — Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said Cooper Flagg will miss Friday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves to continue rehabilitation of his left midfoot sprain.
Flagg did not participate in Thursday’s practice at the University of Minnesota and spent most of the open 15-minute period jogging and sprinting under the instruction of Geoff Puls, the Mavericks’ head strength and performance coach.
Kidd was noncommittal when asked if he was hopeful that Flagg would play on the team’s three-game road trip that continues into next week with stops in Indianapolis and Brooklyn.
“We’re going to take it day by day,” Kidd said.
Mavericks
Jason Kidd said Cooper Flagg (left midfoot sprain) is out for tomorrow’s game against the Wolves.
He’s not wearing the boot he wore to a Duke game over the weekend. Kidd said his status is day to day when it comes to possibly returning during this 3-game road trip. pic.twitter.com/2MYmNe1jj6
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) February 19, 2026
Flagg suffered the midfoot sprain on Feb. 10 in a loss to the Phoenix Suns and missed last Thursday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, along with the Rising Stars game during All-Star Weekend.
The Mavericks rookie spent most of his All-Star break at his alma mater, Duke, and watched a trio of men and women’s basketball games. On Saturday, Flagg had a walking boot on his left foot. Naturally, the boot was absent during his light workout on Thursday.
As Flagg jogged from one side of the court to the other, Kyrie Irving participated in a shooting drill with fellow point guards Brandon Williams and Tyus Jones under the instruction of Mavericks assistant coach Phil Handy.
Irving was ruled out for the 2025-26 season on Wednesday to continue recovering from his torn ACL suffered last March. Irving was complementary of Flagg during a Twitch live stream on Saturday, saying “he’s doing things that some of the greats, even before him, didn’t do.”
Kidd addressed Irving’s excitement to eventually play with Flagg.
“Looking at Cooper up close and seeing what he’s done so far, [Irving’s] excited because he’s played at a very high level here,” Kidd said. “A lot of times with 18 or 19 [year-olds], it takes a little time but with Cooper, he’s been able to make a big jump.”
Flagg has been one of the most durable players for the Mavericks in a season marred by injuries. He’s only missed five games of his rookie season and leads the Mavericks in total points (999), rebounds (321), assists (202) and steals (58).
The shorthanded Mavericks enter Friday’s game against the Timberwolves riding a nine-game losing streak. They are 0-2 in the season series against Minnesota.
Flagg isn’t the only player listed on the Mavericks’ injury report. Max Christie is questionable for Friday’s game because of a left ankle sprain suffered in Thursday’s practice.
Daniel Gafford and Caleb Martin will also be listed as questionable for Friday’s game. Gafford left in the fourth quarter of last week’s loss to the Lakers because of right ankle soreness and Martin sprained his left ankle against the Suns.
Kidd said the main goal for the final 28 games of the season revolves around the development of his team, but most importantly, staying healthy.
“Getting out of this healthy,” Kidd said.
Based on Dallas’ injury misfortune over the last two seasons, that goal is easier said than done.
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