{"id":635214,"date":"2026-03-02T21:32:22","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T21:32:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/635214\/"},"modified":"2026-03-02T21:32:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T21:32:22","slug":"major-injury-update-emerges-on-mavericks-cooper-flagg-after-missing-last-7-games","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/635214\/","title":{"rendered":"Major injury update emerges on Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg after missing last 7 games"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s been a season filled with highs and lows for the Dallas Mavericks<\/a>, whose playoff hopes are now a long shot at 21\u201339. Still, the franchise has found a bright spot in rookie Cooper Flagg, who is widely viewed as the next cornerstone in Dallas.<\/p>\n

Flagg is currently in what appears to be a two-man race for the Rookie of the Year Award alongside former Duke teammate and roommate Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

However, Knueppel may hold a slight edge<\/a> for now, as Flagg has missed the last seven games with a mid-foot sprain sustained just before the NBA All-Star break.<\/p>\n

Ahead of the Mavericks\u2019 showdown against Knueppel and the Hornets on Tuesday, NBA insider Marc Stein provided a significant injury update on Flagg \u2014 one that signals his return could be imminent.<\/p>\n

“Hearing some optimism in Dallas that Cooper Flagg is nearing a return from the mid-foot sprain that has sidelined him for the past seven games,” Stein said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

MORE:\u00a0<\/a>Lakers predicted to pair Luka Doncic with Warriors’ $112 million star trade target<\/a><\/p>\n

Hearing some optimism in Dallas that Cooper Flagg is nearing a return from the midfoot sprain that has sidelined him for the past seven games.<\/p>\n

The latest on Flagg and much, much more is covered in my Monday Best around-the-league NBA notes: https:\/\/t.co\/QwRTckAGd5<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/dwY2YcG3zU<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Flagg realistically should be a freshman in college right now, but he reclassified in high school, which allowed him to enroll at Duke last season before making the leap to the NBA. He even spent part of this season \u2014 up until December \u2014 playing as an 18-year-old in the league, and it didn\u2019t take long for him to adjust.<\/p>\n

The Mavericks have deployed him in virtually every role imaginable. He\u2019s handled the ball at point, operated inside around the post, and shown the ability to score effectively both on and off the ball from nearly every spot on the floor.<\/p>\n

Through 49 games, Flagg is averaging 20.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 48.2% from the field and 30.2% from beyond the arc.<\/p>\n

More NBA news:\u00a0<\/p>\n