“I’ve learned a ton throughout this whole year about myself. About the game of basketball. About the people around me,” Flagg said. “I think I’ve learned a lot about life. It’s been a big learning year for me, and I’ve had to mature a lot. So it’s been a good year.”

Amid a stellar 2025-26 season that placed him firmly in the Rookie of the Year conversation, Flagg recorded his 25th game with 20 or more points in Friday’s 138-135 loss against the Cavaliers. The performance set a new NBA record, surpassing Hall of Fame guard Kobe Bryant for the most 20-point games by a teenager. Cooper finished with 25 points on 8 for 16 shooting, along with five assists and four rebounds.

Will Cooper Flagg be the Rookie of the Year?

At first glance, everything appears to point toward him winning Rookie of the Year because of the impressive level he has maintained. However, he faces strong competition from his former college teammate Kon Knueppel.

Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg’s odds of winning the award remain strong, but questions remain about what could improve his chances. That topic was recently addressed by NBA insider Marc Stein, who considered the Mavericks’ situation and their positioning regarding the lottery.

At the same time, the Charlotte Hornets have emerged as a playoff team, and Knueppel has played a significant role in that rise. With the Mavericks’ season winding down, Flagg’s chances of winning Rookie of the Year could remain uncertain, as Stein noted, per The All-NBA Podcast.

“The Mavs have 18 games left, and the truth is, if they can go 0 – 18, it would be the best thing for them. That’s the way the system is,” Stein said on the All-NBA podcast. “The way the system is structured, the best thing for the Mavs is to lose and to lose royally, and that’s obviously not going to be great if you’re chasing Rookie of the Year.”

According to the latest official NBA injury report, the Mavericks have listed Flagg as questionable (left midfoot sprain) for tonight’s game in Orlando. This marks a significant upgrade for the No. 1 overall pick, who had been listed as “out” or “doubtful” for the previous eight contests.

The former Duke standout has not played since suffering the injury during the Mavericks’ 120-111 loss to the Phoenix Suns on February 20. Before the layoff, Flagg was the clear frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, posting dominant averages of 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.

However, Flagg’s extended absence has allowed his former college teammate, Kon Knueppel, to surge ahead in the ROY race. The Charlotte Hornets star is currently averaging 19.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists through 62 games, capitalizing on Flagg’s time on the sidelines to become the new betting favorite for the award.

Mavericks depth tested by growing injury list

The Mavericks find themselves in a desperate fight for a Play-In spot, currently sitting in 12th place in the Western Conference standings. Their struggles have been amplified without their rookie star; Dallas managed just two wins in the eight games Flagg missed. His return is viewed as essential if the team hopes to salvage their postseason aspirations.

Flagg is far from the only name on a crowded injury report. While Naji Marshall (right finger contusion) and Klay Thompson (right adductor contusion) are listed as probable, the team remains severely short-handed.

Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively II, and Marvin Bagley III have all been ruled out for tonight’s contest, leaving head coach Jason Kidd with limited rotation options against the Magic.

At the same time, Flagg did not overlook the relationships he built in a short span with veterans such as Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell, Jaden Hardy, and Dante Exum. Following the Mavericks’ game against the San Antonio Spurs, the rookie addressed the emotional side of the trades and the transition the roster went through.

“It was tough,” Flagg said, via Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News. “They were all amazing guys to be around, on and off the court. I wish them all the best, and I’m just blessed to be here. Moving forward, whoever is out there on the court with me and the rest of the guys, I’m just looking forward to trying to get better and compete at a really high level.”

“We still had some really great guys here,” Flagg added. “Guys like Naji Marshall, Max Christie, and PJ Washington. We had a really bright future, and we could continue to keep competing and getting better every single day.”

Flagg’s production compared to the all-time greats

Based on how Flagg performed over the following weeks, the Mavericks appeared to be in capable hands despite the turbulence. His rapid development made it clear that surrounding him with the right complementary pieces would be critical, especially as he continued to rewrite rookie benchmarks and carve out a historic start to his career.

On Thursday, Feb. 6, Flagg accepted the Western Conference Rookie of the Month award for January, an honor he had already claimed in December and October/November. Later that night, he led Dallas against the San Antonio Spurs and former Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama, finishing with 32 points. According to the NBA, the No. 1 pick out of Duke became the youngest player in league history to score at least 30 points in four consecutive games.

Flagg also became the first rookie since Michael Jordan in 1985 to record four straight games of at least 30 points and five rebounds. With 151 total points over that stretch, he further joined elite company, becoming the first rookie since Allen Iverson in 1997 to reach 150 points across a four-game span, a sign that Dallas’ bold gamble was already yielding a new cornerstone.

Flagg, who turned 19 on Sunday, has enjoyed an impressive start to his rookie campaign and has appeared in all but one game this season. He was added to the NBA injury report with a back contusion and is currently listed as questionable for Monday night’s road game against New Orleans.

There were no visible health concerns for Flagg on Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers, when he logged 24 points in 37 minutes. That performance suggests the contusion may not be serious enough to sideline him and could be related to the heavy workload he has carried in recent games.

On the other hand, according to NBA Underdog, Klay Thompson is upgraded to probable for Monday’s matchup due to knee soreness. If he can play, he is expected to take on a similar workload to the one he handled in the loss to the 76ers. Should Thompson be unavailable, Jaden Hardy could see additional minutes in the rotation.

The stars carrying the franchises

Dallas continues to rely heavily on Cooper Flagg, who is averaging 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists over 28 games this season. P.J. Washington contributes 16.0 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, while Anthony Davis, who has appeared in only 13 contests, leads the team with 19.9 points and 11.2 rebounds per outing.

The Pelicans are led offensively by Trey Murphy III, who is averaging 21.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 27 games. Zion Williamson has played 13 games and is posting 21.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per appearance, while Jeremiah Fears adds 15.1 points and 3.1 assists in 29 games.

Both teams are coming off tight overtime wins, with Dallas defeating the Detroit Pistons 116–114 on Thursday and New Orleans edging the Houston Rockets 133–128 on the same night, underscoring how thin the margin has been for each side.

A season matching expectations for Flagg

Flagg is coming off one of the most productive rookie seasons ever for an 18-year-old. He finished behind only LeBron James and Kobe Bryant in scoring among teenagers, became the youngest player to score 40 or more points in a game, and also the youngest to record double-digit assists. It has been an exceptional beginning to his NBA career, and his availability remains central to Dallas’ hopes moving forward.

After reports suggested that the first round pick could miss his first game of the season, as the Mavericks have downgraded Cooper Flagg to out (illness) for tonight’s contest, according to the latest official NBA injury report.

During this rough patch for Dallas, without major stars Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving due to injuries, the rookie has been one of the most outstanding performers on the roster, consistently demonstrating why he was chosen first overall in the NBA Draft.

Through 15 games this season, Flagg is averaging 15.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 45.5% from the field. Losing the 18-year-old forward would be a significant blow to the Mavericks, who are playing with a short-handed team due to injuries and urgently need a victory to reverse their fortunes.

Dallas hit by injury bug once again

Just as last year, the Mavericks are confronting extensive injury problems that have left the roster severely depleted at critical moments of the season. The Mavericks were already aware that Kyrie Irving would likely be sidelined for the entire campaign as he continues to recover from a torn ACL suffered in March.

Compounding this, Anthony Davis has only managed to play in five of the 16 games the Mavericks have contested this season. The 10-time All-Star has been out since October 29th, when he sustained a calf muscle strain against the Pacers.

Adding to this list is Dereck Lively II, who played a significant role alongside Luka Doncic last season but has only participated in five games this current campaign, where he is averaging 4.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, two assists, and 1.4 blocks per game.

Mavericks’ injury report

As a result, the Mavericks arrive somewhat battered for the matchup against the Knicks: they will be without Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Dante Exum, and Ryan Nembhard, who are all officially ruled out for tonight.

The list of concerns does not end there, as Caleb Martin (illness). However, Dereck Lively II (right knee injury management) and Daniel Gafford (right ankle injury management) are both listed as probable for tonight, though the extensive injury concerns still leave the Mavericks with a short roster.

The Mavericks have used Flagg, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, as their primary point guard — a move Green believes may not be the best fit. Speaking on The Draymond Green Show, the four-time NBA champion questioned whether Dallas is setting its young star up for unnecessary struggles.

“It’s hard to play in this league when you don’t have a point guard,” Green said. “They’re trying Cooper at point guard, which I understand. You’re allowing him to play with the ball in his hands. He won’t ultimately be a point guard, but you may believe that that can help his development.”

Green added that Flagg still doesn’t fully grasp how teammates like Klay Thompson can complement his game and remains unsure of how to involve Anthony Davis in the offense. While such challenges are normal for a rookie, Green wonders if the Mavericks are risking a repeat of the mistake the Philadelphia 76ers made when they forced Ben Simmons into a similar role early in his career.

Green’s expectations for Flagg

Despite the Mavericks’ poor start, Green made it clear that Flagg isn’t to blame. The rookie has been placed in a difficult situation — playing out of position, surrounded by veterans who demand touches, and carrying a heavy workload for a struggling team.

“I think Cooper Flagg’s going to be incredible,” Green said. “We’re asking a rookie who’s not a point guard to be a great point guard. And that’s just not how this works. You’ve got to be careful — it’s not his real position.

“You ask yourself the question,” Green continued. “If Ben Simmons had been allowed to be a power forward who handled the ball instead of being forced to run the offense, would his career have turned out differently? The last thing you want is for him to lose confidence trying to play point guard because once you lose your confidence in this league, it’s nearly impossible to get it back.”

The difference between Simmons and Flagg

To be fair, it’s still early to draw firm comparisons between Flagg and Simmons. The former No. 1 pick’s decline came amid multiple back injuries, and he is currently out of the league. Simmons averaged just 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game for the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2024-25 season — his last in the NBA to date.

Things are unlikely to get that bleak for Flagg, but the early returns from the point guard experiment have been far from ideal. Through his first stretch of games, the rookie is averaging 13.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks per contest while shooting 40.3% from the field and 27.0% from beyond the arc.

Following Wednesday night’s game, Mavericks rookie Flagg appeared disheartened with the result. Sharing his thoughts on the team’s current struggles, the 18-year-old offered an honest reflection during the postgame press conference.

“For me, it’s the most I’ve lost since… you know, I think ever,” Flagg said. “We have to adapt to playing a lot more games, and I definitely have to get used to that. But I wouldn’t say anyone’s happy.”

“Guys are obviously trying to stay level-headed and know that we’ve got a lot more games to go, and it’s still really early. But personally, I know it’s not fun to just keep losing games. So, we’ll make a change and hopefully start taking steps in the right direction.”

The Mavericks’ ongoing struggles

With Kyrie Irving sidelined for an extended period, Dallas also suffered additional setbacks as key rotation players Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II went down with early-season injuries. The roster has been thin in the paint, and it was only a matter of time before their starting center, Anthony Davis, was also forced to sit out.

Flagg’s slow start, combined with the team’s overall inconsistency, has pushed the Mavericks to the bottom of the Western Conference standings. While there’s still optimism for improvement, it’s clear that several players must step up to help turn things around. After all, this is Flagg’s first year in the NBA.

Flagg’s performance at his natural position

The Mavericks started Cooper Flagg at his natural small forward position instead of playing him as a point guard. Speaking with reporters after the game, Flagg addressed the adjustment. “I thought we just played natural. I thought I still got a little sticky at times, but I think we’ve got to keep working on moving the ball, getting organized, and just attacking mismatches. But I think we could’ve been a little better organized tonight.”

Although the rookie was critical of his performance, Flagg thrived in his new role. He finished the game with 20 points, nine rebounds, two assists, three steals, and two blocks while shooting 8-for-19 from the floor against the Pelicans — a promising sign for both his confidence and development going forward.

Cooper Flagg’s availability for the Dallas Mavericks vs Indiana Pacers remains uncertain. He exited the previous game against the Oklahoma City Thunder with shoulder discomfort. Surprisingly, his name is absent from the latest injury report, leaving fans and analysts speculating about his status.

While the Mavericks await confirmation on Flagg’s readiness, his performance in his rookie NBA season so far suggests a promising future. Flagg has showcased the potential to become one of the league’s premier players in the years to come.

The excitement around Flagg stems from his impressive stats and dynamic style of play. As this year’s number one draft pick, he is expected to bolster a Mavericks squad that has struggled, partly due to losing key talents to the Los Angeles Lakers and ongoing injuries to other stars on their roster.

Flagg’s outstanding start to the season

It’s not solely about the points you score; it’s also about the overall impact you have on the roster to guide the team to success. This is precisely what Flagg has been striving to achieve, especially considering the challenges posed by injuries to key players.

The 19-year-old has emerged as the third-leading scorer on the team, averaging 13 points per game. Across four matchups, Flagg has also contributed significantly on the boards, averaging 5.3 rebounds per game, and has been perfect from the free-throw line, maintaining a remarkable 100% free throw percentage (2.5 out of 2.5 attempts).

In light of these developments, and with other key players like Kyrie Irving sidelined due to injury, the Mavericks can rely on Flagg as a cornerstone while awaiting the veteran’s return. With the help of Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson, Dallas is poised to rebound this season after the previous year’s disappointing conclusion.

Ahead of Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg’s debut, Dereck Lively II offered insight into what the NBA’s top prospect is like off the court. Flagg is a central figure in some bold predictions for the Mavericks heading into the regular season. Lively II discussed how comfortable Flagg already is around the veterans and the rest of the Mavericks team, according to Dallas Morning News’ Brad Townsend.

“He’s enjoying himself no matter where—on or off the court—he’s still the youngest in the gym. He’s always trying to crack a joke. He’s always trying to poke fun at the old guys, which is hilarious. But I make sure he doesn’t try that with me because I’m not that old,” Lively II said. “But he’s been great. He seems like he’s enjoying Dallas. His family is great. We’re just trying to make him feel as welcomed as possible.”

“I let him call me ‘Unk’ once or twice because I’m a dad, but we ain’t letting it slide anymore,” Dereck Lively II added. “Bringing that sort of immaturity makes everybody loose. Since we have so many older players on the team now, we have to make sure we keep it young.”

Flagg’s preseason performance

Flagg delivered perhaps his most impressive performance of the preseason, finishing with 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting and three assists in a 121-94 win against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Mavericks’ preseason finale.

The Mavericks hope Flagg can contribute immediately. That expectation is reflected in the fact that he has played some point guard in the preseason and could assume that role with Kyrie Irving on the sidelines to start the NBA season.

If Flagg takes on some point guard responsibilities, the Mavericks should see a lot from him from the start. Flagg is set to make his NBA debut Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs at 9:30 p.m. ET.

Playing in the preseason, Flagg has been adjusting to the NBA level. Against the Lakers on Wednesday, he played 28 minutes, scoring 13 points with two rebounds and three assists. Lakers head coach JJ Redick was asked about Flagg’s potential on the court and comparisons to other players, but he quickly dismissed them.

“He doesn’t really remind me of anybody. I know the Grant Hill comparisons are getting thrown out a lot right now. Cooper is his own special player. His defensive instincts and playmaking ability far exceed most 18-year-olds. He’s a worker. And I expect him to develop into a really good shooter. Those are the two things that just stand out right away. He has such a feel for the game… His defensive skills and playmaking really stand out,” Redick said.

Flagg has often been compared to former Pistons forward Grant Hill due to their similar size and defensive versatility. Hill could guard multiple positions and excel both on and off the ball. Flagg has defended nearly every position, and his height makes him a key factor in rim protection.

Redick sees a connection between Flagg and Hill

Redick, like Flagg and Hill, is a Duke Blue Devils legend. Flagg and Redick are two of the seven Duke players to win the Wooden Award as national player of the year, while Grant Hill lost out to Glenn Robinson the year he was named a First Team All-American. Redick closely monitored Flagg throughout his lone season at Duke and came away very impressed.

What Kidd said about Flagg

With Flagg’s unique skill set, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd reportedly considered whether he could use the former Duke star in a role similar to Grant Hill. Hill, a highly touted Blue Devils prospect, shares some traits with this past draft’s No. 1 pick.

“Kidd saw shades of another former Duke star in Flagg’s game: Grant Hill, who shared the Rookie of the Year award with Kidd in 1994-95, when the 6-foot-8 Hill ran the point for the Detroit Pistons. Kidd saw the same phenomenal blend of feel and force in Flagg that Hill had coming out of Duke,” wrote Michael MacMahon.

Kidd’s assessment makes sense, as the Mavericks aim to gain creative depth while awaiting Kyrie Irving’s return, enhancing team synergy and chemistry, particularly to improve offensive efficiency.

Even if the Thunder did not make any moves during the offseason, head coach Mark Daigneault managed to keep his star-studded roster intact and secured key contract renewals, positioning them as top contenders once again. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks made bold changes to their roster, blending youth and experience in an effort to climb the league standings after a disappointing season.

Looking ahead to the game, the Thunder might once again miss their cornerstone, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Although healthy, the 27-year-old star is being strategically rested by the franchise in preparation for the 2025 NBA season. In his place, the team will rely on Aaron Wiggins, Ousmane Dieng, and Jaylin Williams to lead the offense, just as they did in the previous game.

The Dallas Mavericks are set to make a statement in their NBA preseason opener against the Thunder. Head coach Jason Kidd will tap into the talents of rising star Cooper Flag, who impressed during the Summer League. While Flag’s participation is eagerly anticipated, the team will carefully manage his minutes and starting status, underscoring its commitment to his long-term development.

Thunder and Mavs manage additional injuries before NBA preseason game

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is not the only absence for the Oklahoma City Thunder in their NBA preseason matchup. Seven crucial players will miss the game, with a mix of strategic decisions and injuries affecting the lineup. Mark Daigneault has opted to rest Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, and Isaiah Hartenstein, while injuries sideline Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell, Kenrich Williams, and Thomas Sorber, highlighting the challenges faced by the team.

Similarly, the Dallas Mavericks approach today’s contest with notable absences of their own. Kyrie Irving, Daniel Gafford, and Brandon Williams will be sidelined due to injury concerns. Nonetheless, head coach Jason Kidd remains optimistic, relying on the talents of D’Angelo Russell, Klay Thompson, and Anthony Davis to provide a competitive edge and maintain team momentum despite the roster gaps.