Cooper Flagg Injury Update After Skipping Press Conference, How Did Mavs Star Get Hurt?
Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg wasn't available for a postgame press conference after Wednesday's 119-108 loss to the Denver Nuggets due to an ankle injury.
Head coach Jason Kidd told reporters that Flagg suffered the injury when he stepped on Peyton Watson's foot while playing defense in the third quarter.
"He stepped on someone's foot," Kidd said. "Last game, he twisted his ankle, too. We decided to hold him [out] for the second half."
The Mavs' initial diagnosis was that Flagg suffered a right ankle sprain.
Flagg previously missed Dallas' matchup with the New York Knicks on Nov. 19 due to an illness after appearing in each of the team's first 15 games of the 2025-26 season. He returned in time for the Mavericks' ensuing contest against the New Orleans Pelicans, though.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft doesn't have an extensive injury history, as he suited up in 37 of a possible 39 games during his lone college season at Duke.
Flagg initially appeared to deal with a shoulder issue during the Mavericks' 101-94 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 27, but didn't end up missing any time.
The 18-year-old has looked like a long-term building block for Dallas when healthy this year, as he's averaged 18.8 points and 6.3 rebounds to go along with 4.2 assists per game in 40 contests. He's shooting 47.8 percent from the field overall.
Until Flagg is able to return, Dallas will rely on Max Christie and Naji Marshall to take on larger offensive roles as it looks to improve upon its 15-26 record.
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