Tim MacMahonMar 5, 2026, 04:34 PM ET
- Joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009
- Covers the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks
- Appears regularly on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM
Dallas Mavericks rookie star Cooper Flagg has been cleared to return after missing the last eight games due to a left midfoot sprain, sources told ESPN.
Flagg intends to play in Thursday night's road game against the Orlando Magic. He is officially listed as questionable.
The Mavs have not ruled out the possibility of Flagg playing in both ends of the back-to-back with the second game in Boston on Friday night. The Celtics were Flagg's favorite team while he was growing up in Newport, Maine.
Flagg injured the foot in a Feb. 10 loss to the Phoenix Suns, forcing the No. 1 pick to miss the Rising Stars game during All-Star Weekend.
Flagg, 19, has averaged 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 49 games, production that puts him in illustrious company. The only other rookies to average at least 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists since the ABA-NBA merger are Luka Doncic, Michael Jordan and Larry Bird.
However, Flagg has been surpassed by former Duke roommate Kon Knueppel as the betting favorite for Rookie of the Year. Knueppel has played a major role in the surging Charlotte Hornets' midseason turnaround, averaging 19.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shattering the rookie record for made 3s while shooting 43.6% from long range.
