Former Duke standout Cooper Flagg is facing an uncertain timeline for his return to the court with the Dallas Mavericks. The team announced that Flagg remains sidelined due to a left midfoot sprain sustained on February 10 against the Phoenix Suns.
Flagg made a significant impact during his time at Duke, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. His standout performance came against Notre Dame on January 11, 2025, when he exploded for 42 points, six rebounds, and seven assists.
Drafted first overall by the Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft, Flagg has quickly become a frontrunner for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. This season, he's putting up impressive numbers with 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.
Dallas has become a must-watch for Duke fans, with Flagg, Kyrie Irving, and Dereck Lively II all donning the Mavericks jersey. Flagg's shooting stats stand at 48.2% from the field, 30.2% from three-point range, and 80.4% from the charity stripe, though the team's playoff hopes are dimming.
Despite his injury, the 19-year-old Flagg returned to Duke during the All-Star break, showing his continued connection to the program. Meanwhile, current Blue Devil Cameron Boozer is making waves, averaging 22.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, and is a potential top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
In a testament to his growing legacy, Flagg's jersey from his NBA debut against the San Antonio Spurs fetched $1 million at a Sotheby's auction. In that debut, he recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 4-of-13 from the field and 2-of-2 from the line, despite the Mavericks' 125-92 loss.
Sotheby's Brahm Wachter highlighted the jersey's sale as a sign of the high expectations and excitement surrounding Flagg's burgeoning career.