Cooper Flagg is back on the Mavericks’ injury report, but Monday night still looks like a real possibility.
Dallas listed the star forward as questionable for its game against the Miami Heat, marking the second straight matchup in which his status has been in doubt. Flagg missed Saturday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs after hurting his shoulder on Friday night.
The Mavericks said Flagg underwent an MRI that showed a mild left shoulder sprain. He is expected to be re-evaluated this week, and the team noted that he would be out against San Antonio before providing further updates as appropriate. The fact that he’s already been moved to questionable is at least a step in the right direction.
Flagg’s injury came on a fastbreak play against the Indiana Pacers, when Aaron Nesmith fouled him hard from behind. Nesmith was hit with a flagrant foul, and Flagg did not return.
Before the shoulder issue, Flagg was rolling. In Dallas’ season opener against Houston, he put up 32 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals in a loss. Against Indiana, he was in the middle of another strong night with 14 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals before exiting.
The Mavericks need him badly. They’re 1-2 to start the season, and without Flagg they were blown out at home by San Antonio. That matters even more with Kyrie Irving still working his way back after missing last season with a torn ACL.
There’s one more reason to think Flagg has a shot to suit up: DraftKings Sportsbook already has props posted for him in Monday’s game. Dallas is still an 8.5-point road underdog, even though Miami has yet to win a game this season.
A final update should come closer to tipoff, but for now, the betting market is giving Flagg a legitimate chance to play.
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