The Dallas Mavericks will face the Minnesota Timberwolves at home on Wednesday, January 28, but they may be without their superstar rookie.
Cooper Flagg is listed as questionable with left ankle injury management on the official injury report. He had 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists on 35% shooting from the field and 20% shooting from three in a 116-110 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, January 24.
Flagg is one of the frontrunners for the Rookie of the Year Award this season, averaging 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 47.3% from the field and 28% from beyond the arc. He was recently named to the Rising Stars Challenge, which will take place during the NBA’s All-Star weekend.
Is Cooper Flagg Playing Tonight?
Flagg missed two games earlier this season with a left ankle sprain, after he exited in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets on January 14 and did not return. His current status appears to be related to that initial injury.
Dallas, won’t take any chances with Flagg if he is not feeling 100%. The team will likely evaluate him in pregame warmups and then make a final decision on his status. If Flagg cannot play, Caleb Martin will likely get the start.
Anthony Davis (left finger sprain) and Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery) remain out for tonight’s game. The former will reportedly be back on the court at some point before the end of the regular season, and the latter is looking at a possible return around the All-Star break.
Dallas Mavericks Trade Rumors
With the Mavericks trying to build around Flagg, the team has a number of players it’s looking to deal ahead of the February 5 trade deadline.
Davis remains a viable trade piece after it was determined he would not require season ending surgery. He is arguably the best big man available this year and has been linked to a number of Eastern Conference teams, including the Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors. If he is dealt, the 10-time All-Star could net a strong return for Dallas that includes multiple first-round draft picks and proven, young players.
Daniel Gafford and Klay Thompson could also move from the Mavericks to a contender. Both have been linked to the Golden State Warriors in a possible deal for Jonathan Kuminga. However, the forward is now less likely to be traded in the aftermath of Jimmy Butler’s season-ending knee injury, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater.
The Mavericks have also been getting calls about Naji Marshall, who is having a career season, but the team has signaled it would like to keep him. According to The Athletic’s Christian Clark, Dallas would need to see “something extraordinary” in a deal to justify moving the forward.
Mavericks Receive Major Injury Update On Cooper Flagg