NBA Notebook: Mavericks Tread Carefully with Flagg, Booker’s Status Looms Large in Phoenix, and Kuminga’s Trade Request Hangs Over Warriors’ Resurgence
Mavericks: Flagg’s Ankle Raises Eyebrows, Not Alarms-Yet
The Dallas Mavericks had no trouble lighting up the scoreboard Thursday night, cruising to a 144-122 win over Utah. But the real story wasn’t who did play-it was who didn’t.
Top overall pick Cooper Flagg was sidelined with a left ankle sprain, missing just his second game of the season. The first absence came back in November due to illness, but this one hits a little different.
Flagg tweaked the ankle during Wednesday’s game against Denver while defending Peyton Watson. He limped straight to the tunnel, came back briefly, but didn’t return after halftime.
And here’s the kicker-it’s the second game in a row he’s had issues with that same ankle, needing it retaped earlier in the week.
Dallas is wisely playing the long game here. Flagg has been everything the Mavericks hoped for-and then some.
He’s averaging 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, and has been the frontrunner in the Rookie of the Year conversation since opening night. With the ankle acting up again, the team’s cautious approach makes perfect sense.
No need to push a franchise cornerstone in January.
Suns: Booker’s Ankle Watch, Green Nearing Return
In Phoenix, Devin Booker’s absence loomed large in a narrow loss to Detroit. The Suns dropped a one-possession game without their All-Star guard, who sat out due to swelling in his ankle. He had been gutting it out earlier in the week, but the team opted to give him a night off to manage the issue.
Booker’s impact can’t be overstated. He’s putting up 25.2 points and 6.5 assists per game and remains the driving force behind everything Phoenix does offensively.
The good news? Head coach Jordan Ott said there’s optimism Booker could be back in the lineup Saturday when the Suns visit New York.
There’s also encouraging progress on the injury front with Jalen Green. The guard has been sidelined for over two months with a hamstring injury but is now participating in full five-on-five workouts.
That’s a big step forward as he inches closer to a return. The Suns could use the backcourt depth, especially with Booker nursing that ankle.
Warriors: Winning Streak Can’t Mask Kuminga Cloud
The Golden State Warriors are starting to look like themselves again. After a rocky start to the season, they’ve now won 10 of their last 14, including a statement win over the Knicks on Thursday night. On the court, things are trending upward.
But off the court, the Jonathan Kuminga situation still lingers.
According to multiple reports, Kuminga has formally requested a trade now that he’s eligible. The request itself isn’t a shock-rumblings of his dissatisfaction have been around for months-but it’s now official. Sacramento and Dallas are among the teams reportedly interested.
Golden State, for its part, continues to prioritize expiring contracts and maintaining financial flexibility. Translation: they’re not rushing into a deal just to make one. Nothing is imminent, but the situation remains fluid.
Inside the locker room, the message is clear: this isn’t a distraction. Draymond Green and Stephen Curry have both said the team remains focused on winning, and that any off-court noise will sort itself out.
Kuminga hasn’t seen game action in weeks, but he’s still around, putting in work individually and staying engaged. Teammates, including Jimmy Butler-one of his most vocal supporters-have made it known that the locker room still has his back, regardless of where his future lies.
Head coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the complexity of the situation. It’s not easy balancing development, team chemistry, and long-term planning, especially with a player as talented and promising as Kuminga. But for now, the Warriors are winning-and that’s buying them time.
From rookies making headlines to veterans managing injuries and trade winds swirling behind the scenes, the NBA’s midseason stretch is delivering no shortage of drama. And as always, the stories behind the box scores are just getting started.