Mavericks Reveal Cooper Flagg's MRI Results, Announce Injury Timeline

DALLAS — Cooper Flagg has a mild left shoulder sprain and will miss Saturday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, the Dallas Mavericks announced. An MRI revealed the sprain, and the team said Flagg will be re-evaluated next week.

Flagg was hurt with 59.7 seconds left in the first half of Friday’s 121-105 win at Indiana, when Aaron Nesmith fouled him from behind on a breakaway. Nesmith was assessed a flagrant 1, and Flagg made both free throws before leaving for the locker room. He did not return.

Mavericks coach Dusty May said after Friday’s game that Flagg had left shoulder soreness and would be evaluated over the next couple of days. Whether Flagg would need an MRI was still unclear at that point.

“I really don’t know. I saw him in the locker room. He’s in good spirits,” May said. “We’ll know over the next couple days what’s going on, what’s next.”

Cooper Flagg’s First Two Games Before The Injury

Flagg, the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and last season’s Rookie of the Year, had 14 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals in 17 minutes at Indiana. He made all four of his shots in the first quarter and finished a plus-34.

In Wednesday’s 128-110 season-opening loss at Houston, Flagg scored 32 points on 10-of-17 shooting. Naji Marshall started the second half in Flagg’s place Friday and finished with 15 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals.

The Mavericks’ Schedule Before Flagg’s Re-Evaluation

Saturday’s home opener against San Antonio tips off at 7 p.m. CT at American Airlines Center, the second night of a back-to-back. Dallas then plays at the Miami Heat on Monday before hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday and the Houston Rockets on Friday.

The Mavericks were already without Santi Aldama (right knee surgery), Tarik Biberović (right heel bursitis), Jett Howard (right calf tightness), Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery), and Caleb Martin (right thumb sprain) on Friday. Kyrie Irving is also playing on a minutes restriction in his return from a torn left ACL.

The Mavericks said further updates on Flagg will be provided as appropriate.