Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg has been diagnosed with a left midfoot sprain after an MRI scan, following an injury sustained during Tuesday’s game against the Phoenix Suns. The team confirmed on Wednesday that Flagg will not participate in Thursday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers and will miss the Rising Stars Game on Friday, casting uncertainty over his availability for the All-Star Weekend events. The news is particularly troubling given Flagg’s growing importance to the Mavericks this season.
Recurring Injuries Cause Concern
This latest foot injury represents Flagg’s second significant setback in under a month. He left the January 14 game against the Denver Nuggets after spraining his right ankle in the first half, a recurrence of the same ankle injury that occurred just two nights prior in a victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
“He stepped on someone’s foot. Last game, he twisted his ankle, too. We decided to hold him (out) for the second half,”
said Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, who also expressed uncertainty regarding Flagg’s status for the upcoming game against the Utah Jazz.
Flagg’s On-Court Impact and Mavericks Struggles
Despite a slow start to his rookie season, the 2025 No. 1 draft pick has recently displayed remarkable potential, averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. His performance earned him the Western Conference Rookie of the Month awards for both November and December. However, the Mavericks have faced inconsistency, currently ranking 12th in the Western Conference with a 19-34 record. Adding to the team’s challenges, star guard Kyrie Irving remains sidelined as he continues recovery from a torn ACL suffered last March.
The absence of Flagg would be a substantial setback for the Mavericks, who will need significant contributions from other players to maintain competitiveness while their key rookie recovers.
The Mavericks announced today that forward/guard Cooper Flagg underwent an MRI that revealed a left midfoot sprain.
The injury occurred in Dallas’ game at PHX on Tuesday. Flagg will miss the team’s game at LAL on Thursday as well as the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars game on Friday.
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) February 12, 2026
