DALLAS (AP) — Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks rookie and top draft pick, suffered a sprained left ankle during the game against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night. The injury happened in the second quarter when he defended against Peyton Watson. Flagg stumbled and twisted his ankle, limping off the court with just over six minutes left in the half.
Though he returned briefly to finish the quarter, Flagg didn’t come back for the second half. Coach Jason Kidd later confirmed that Flagg would be sidelined for the rest of the game. This recent injury comes just two nights after Flagg twisted the same ankle but managed to score 27 points to lead Dallas in a victory over Brooklyn.
“He stepped on someone’s foot,” Kidd noted. “He had already twisted it last game. We made the call to hold him out.” Flagg’s status for the next game against Utah remains uncertain. Center Daniel Gafford also exited the Denver game due to a right ankle sprain that has plagued him all season.
Flagg has been impressive in his rookie season, averaging 18.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. He played 40 games so far, only missing one earlier this season due to illness. Before joining the Mavericks, Flagg led Duke to the Final Four, earning recognition as The Associated Press men’s player of the year.
The Mavericks face significant challenges right now, with injuries affecting their lineup. Alongside Flagg and Gafford, they are missing notable players like Anthony Davis, who is out for about six weeks due to ligament damage in his left hand, and Dereck Lively II, who will miss the rest of the season after foot surgery.
“This is tough for us,” Kidd admitted. “We’ve been dealing with injuries since training camp. It’s a challenging time, but our team’s character shines through adversity.”
In terms of broader trends, injuries like these highlight the physical toll in professional sports. According to a recent study, about 33% of NBA players are expected to miss time each season due to injuries. Managing player health is crucial, especially for young stars like Flagg who are still adapting to the fast-paced league.
As the season progresses, fans are keenly watching how the Mavericks will navigate these setbacks. Social media buzzes with concern and encouragement for Flagg and the team, showing just how invested the community is in their young star’s recovery and performance.
For more details on player health and injuries, check resources from trusted sources like the NBA Injury Reports.
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Cooper Flagg injury
