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Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg exited Wednesday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets after suffering a sprained left ankle. The No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft rolled the ankle while defending Denver forward Peyton Watson with 6:01 left in the second quarter. Flagg limped off the court and did not return after halftime, as the Mavericks ruled him out for the rest of the night.
Flagg finished with six points on 3-for-9 shooting, along with one rebound, one assist and one block in his 15 minutes of play before the injury forced him out. The Mavericks lost 118-109 to Denver.
Details of the Injury and Game Context
Flagg’s ankle issue stems from the same foot he had twisted in Dallas’s Monday win over the Brooklyn Nets. He left that game briefly to get the ankle taped and then returned to score 27 points. On Wednesday, Flagg appeared to worsen the injury while moving laterally on defense.
Coach Jason Kidd confirmed the team chose not to risk him in the second half. Kidd explained that Dallas “decided to hold him for the second half” after Flagg showed signs of pain following the play.
The injury came in a game where the Mavericks struggled offensively. Dallas shot a season-worst 5-for-34 from threeand trailed by as many as 23 points before closing the gap late. Jamal Murray scored 33 points to lead the Nuggets.
Flagg’s Rookie Season and Impact
At 19 years old, Flagg has made a major impact for Dallas. He has played in nearly every game this season and is among the league’s top rookies with averages of 19.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Those numbers put him in contention for Rookie of the Year honors.
Flagg’s absence for the second half highlighted how central he has become to the Mavericks’ offense and defense. Dallas also lost center Daniel Gafford to an ankle sprain in the same game, adding to the team’s injury woes.
What’s Next for Flagg and Dallas
The Mavericks will monitor Flagg’s ankle closely in the coming days. Kidd offered no timetable for a return after the loss. Dallas is scheduled to play again soon, meaning the team must decide how much rest he needs before returning.
Flagg’s health remains a key storyline for Dallas. The franchise is building around him and faces the challenge of keeping their rookie star available during a pivotal stretch of the season.
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