The Dallas Mavericks may be staring down another tough night on the injury front, as rookie sensation Cooper Flagg is officially listed as doubtful for Thursday’s matchup against the Utah Jazz due to a lingering left ankle sprain.
Flagg’s status casts a shadow over the Mavericks’ four-game homestand, which wraps up the second half of a back-to-back following Wednesday night’s 118-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets. The 19-year-old forward saw limited action in that game, logging just 15 minutes before exiting in the second quarter after tweaking the same ankle he injured earlier in the week against Brooklyn. He finished with six points, a rebound, an assist, and a block on 3-of-9 shooting before heading to the locker room.
The injury occurred during a defensive sequence against Denver’s Peyton Watson, where Flagg hit the deck after being whistled for a foul. While it didn’t look catastrophic, the fact that it’s the same ankle he sprained just two nights prior is cause for concern-especially considering how vital Flagg has become to Dallas’ rotation.
That Brooklyn game, by the way? Flagg shook off the initial ankle tweak, got taped up, and returned with a vengeance-dropping 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting, along with five boards and five assists. It was one of his most complete performances to date, and a reminder of just how impactful he’s been in his rookie campaign.
Through Thursday, Flagg is averaging 18.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game-numbers that don’t just pop off the page for a 19-year-old, but speak to the trust he’s earned from the coaching staff. He’s been a go-to option in crunch time, a two-way contributor, and a key piece of the Mavericks’ evolving identity.
Now, with his availability in serious doubt, Dallas will likely need to reshuffle its frontcourt rotation once again. That’s no small task for a team still trying to find its rhythm during a homestand that’s been anything but smooth.
As for their opponent, the Jazz roll into town fresh off a narrow 128-126 loss to the Chicago Bulls. Utah has dropped seven of its last ten and will be without forward Lauri Markkanen, who’s sidelined due to illness. That levels the playing field a bit in terms of roster depth, but both teams are walking into Thursday night’s contest with more questions than answers.
Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET, with final word on Flagg’s status expected closer to game time. For now, the Mavericks will be holding their breath, hoping their rookie cornerstone isn’t sidelined for long.