Cooper Flagg Shows Up at Duke Game in a Walking Boot, Sparking Concern Among Mavs Fans
As the Duke Blue Devils cruised to a 13-point win over Clemson in Durham, the spotlight wasn’t just on the court. Sitting courtside, drawing as many eyes as the action itself, was Duke legend and current Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg - and he wasn’t alone.
Flanking him were fellow former Blue Devils Khaman Maluach and Tyrese Proctor, forming a mini-Duke reunion that had fans buzzing. But it was Flagg’s left foot, encased in a walking boot, that really stole the headlines.
With the NBA on pause for All-Star Weekend, Flagg made the trip back to his old stomping grounds. But the timing of his visit - and the visible boot - raised eyebrows.
Just days earlier, the Mavericks announced that Flagg had suffered a left midfoot sprain, ruling him out of the All-Star Game and possibly sidelining him for additional regular-season games after the break. Seeing him in a boot only added fuel to the fire for concerned Dallas fans.
The Mavericks haven’t offered much detail beyond calling it a sprain. No official timetable has been given, and that ambiguity has opened the door to speculation.
Midfoot sprains can be tricky - they range in severity and recovery time, from a couple of weeks to several months, depending on the extent of the damage. And while the boot could simply be precautionary, a way to keep pressure off the foot during the healing process, the visual alone was enough to send Mavs fans into a mild panic.
Before the injury, Flagg was putting together one of the most impressive rookie campaigns in recent memory. Through 54 games, he was averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game - a stat line that had him firmly in the driver’s seat for Rookie of the Year honors.
But if the foot issue lingers and Flagg misses extended time, that race could tighten. Another former Blue Devil, Kon Knueppel, is quietly putting together a strong rookie season of his own and could close the gap if Flagg is forced to the sideline for a significant stretch.
For now, all eyes are on February 20, when the Mavericks are scheduled to return from the break with a matchup against the Timberwolves. Whether Flagg will be ready remains unclear. What is clear, though, is that his health has become one of the biggest storylines to watch heading into the second half of the NBA season.
Flagg’s presence at Cameron Indoor was a reminder of his roots - and his rising star power. But until that boot comes off, the Mavericks - and their fans - will be holding their breath.