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ORLANDO, Fla. -- After missing the last eight games with a left midfoot sprain, Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is available to play on Thursday, coach Jason Kidd said.
Flagg has missed the last eight games for the Mavericks after suffering the injury on Feb. 10 during a 120-111 loss to the Phoenix Suns. He was also sidelined for the Rising Stars Game as a part of NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 13 in Inglewood, California.
The No. 1 overall pick saw his game status upgraded this week on the injury report, culminating in him receiving clearance to suit against the Orlando Magic in their second stop on a six-game road trip. Kidd said Flagg will be limited to 20-25 minutes.
"He has been out for four weeks, so he is excited to get back to playing with his teammates," Kidd said during his pregame press conference. "We will see how tonight goes."
Flagg is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals on 48.2% shooting from the field in 49 games. He is second among rookies in total scoring (999) and has the most 30-point games by a first-year player since Victor Wembanyama in 2023-24 (7).
The 19-year-old was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for the third straight time in January. He and Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel were the only two players to win before San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper claimed the award in February.
The Mavericks posted a 2-6 record without Flagg in the lineup, dropping to 21-40 on the season. His return figures to help the Mavericks improve offensively after the group was held to 90 points or fewer in each of their last two matchups.
"When you talk about his energy, we all know his play, understanding he is a really good basketball player, and the things that he can do," Kidd said. "He can run the offense. He can set the tone for his teammates, finding them. He can score both left, right. I thought he was shooting the ball really well before the injury. ... It is good to have him back."
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Mavericks news: Cooper Flagg receives massive update before Magic game
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Flagg has missed the last eight games for the Mavericks after suffering the injury on Feb. 10 during a 120-111 loss to the Phoenix Suns. He was also sidelined for the Rising Stars Game as a part of NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 13 in Inglewood, California.
The No. 1 overall pick saw his game status upgraded this week on the injury report, culminating in him receiving clearance to suit against the Orlando Magic in their second stop on a six-game road trip. Kidd said Flagg will be limited to 20-25 minutes.
"He has been out for four weeks, so he is excited to get back to playing with his teammates," Kidd said during his pregame press conference. "We will see how tonight goes."
Flagg is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals on 48.2% shooting from the field in 49 games. He is second among rookies in total scoring (999) and has the most 30-point games by a first-year player since Victor Wembanyama in 2023-24 (7).
The 19-year-old was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for the third straight time in January. He and Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel were the only two players to win before San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper claimed the award in February.
The Mavericks posted a 2-6 record without Flagg in the lineup, dropping to 21-40 on the season. His return figures to help the Mavericks improve offensively after the group was held to 90 points or fewer in each of their last two matchups.
"When you talk about his energy, we all know his play, understanding he is a really good basketball player, and the things that he can do," Kidd said. "He can run the offense. He can set the tone for his teammates, finding them. He can score both left, right. I thought he was shooting the ball really well before the injury. ... It is good to have him back."
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Mavericks news: Cooper Flagg receives massive update before Magic game
Continue reading...
