Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Mavericks Suffer Double Loss on Wednesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Jan 28, 2026 8:20 PM ET

The Dallas Mavericks play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Jason Kidd's men have won four of their last five games, although their latest outing was a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Still, hopes are high that the Mavs will be able to handle a struggling Minnesota team that lost five straight before earning their recent win against the Golden State Warriors.

Unfortunately for the Mavericks, they will be without several key players against the Anthony Edwards-led Timberwolves.

Cooper Flagg has been ruled out for the game due to ankle injury management. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft suffered a left ankle sprain during the Mavericks' Jan. 14 showdown with the Denver Nuggets. He missed back-to-back contests against the Utah Jazz on Jan. 15 and 17 due to the issue.

The Mavs have treated Flagg day-to-day ever since, although he had played in three straight games since returning from the injury last week.

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) looks on during a game.Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

In an unfortunate turn for the Mavericks, sharpshooting guard Klay Thompson also landed on the injury report and has been sidelined against the Timberwolves as well.

Thompson was added to the Mavericks' 12:30 p.m. injury report due to left knee soreness. Dallas initially labeled him as questionable before deciding to rule him out.

Flagg is averaging 18.8 points on 47.3 % shooting, along with 6.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Thompson, who has played a bench role for Dallas, is putting up 11.7 points on 38% shooting, 2.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists.

With the two key players out, Dallas will need the likes of Max Christie and Brandon Williams to step up. Naji Marshall is also expected to have a bigger role offensively in the absence of Flagg and Thompson.

The good news for the Mavericks is that Kidd is hopeful both players will be available when they play the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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