Cooper Flagg
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Cooper Flagg is listed as questionable with back soreness on the official injury report ahead of the Dallas Mavericks' game on Monday, December 22.
TheDallas Mavericks have had a disappointing two months to begin their season, and they could be without one of their only bright spots against theNew Orleans Pelicans on Monday, December 22.
Cooper Flagg is listed as questionable with a back contusion on theofficial injury report. The rookie had 24 points on 50% shooting from the field in Dallas’ 121-114 loss to thePhiladelphia 76ers on Saturday, December 20.
Flagg has been as good as advertised in his rookie season after the Mavericks selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. He is averaging 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 47.8% from the field.
Maybe the only part of Flagg’s game that has underwhelmed is his three point shooting, as he is making them at only a 23.4% clip. The Duke product, however, scored the most points in a game by an 18-year-old in NBA history when he posted 42 points against theUtah Jazz on Sunday, December 14.
Is Cooper Flagg Playing Tonight?
Flagg has missed only one game this season on November 19 against theNew York Knicks due to illness. He has no significant injury history, outside of anankle sprain in the ACC Tournament in March that kept him out just one game.
This injury designation could be the Mavericks trying to give their superstar a night off on the front end of a back-to-back for the team. Dallas will play theDenver Nuggets at home on Tuesday, December 23 before heading to San Francisco for a matchup with theGolden State Warriors on Christmas Day.
Dallas certainly wants Flagg to continue developing this season, and it won’t take any chances with him if he is not feeling 100%. The Mavericks will likely evaluate Flagg in pregame warmups and then make a final decision on his status.
Cooper Flagg Is Having A Historic Rookie Season
Flagg entered this season as the youngest player in the NBA, but he has played well beyond his years so far. The forward has scored 526 points in 28 games placing him third on theall-time scoring list for players under 19, ahead of Tracy McGrady and behind only Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Flagg turned 19 on Sunday, December 21.
In hislast 10 games, Flagg has shown that he can be a perennial All-Star, averaging 24 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists on 51.8% shooting from the field and 16% from beyond the arc.
WithKyrie Irivng still working his way back from atorn ACL, the Mavericks have turned to the rookie in clutch moments, and he has played like a seasoned veteran.Flagg has scored 62 clutch points on 46.3% shooting and posted 26 rebounds and nine assists during clutch minutes.