Dallas Mavericks star Cooper Flagg will miss the team’s home opener against the San Antonio Spurs after an MRI revealed a mild left shoulder strain, suffered just before halftime in a 121-105 victory over the Indiana Pacers. The reigning Rookie of the Year will be reevaluated next week, leaving the Mavericks without their standout forward for the Saturday night matchup.
How the Shoulder Injury Occurred in Indiana
The sequence unfolded in the final minute of the first half on Friday night in Indianapolis. Flagg attacked the rim after intercepting a pass near midcourt, rising for what appeared to be a fast-break dunk. Aaron Nesmith contacted him from behind, drawing a Flagrant 1 foul on the play. Flagg crashed hard behind the baseline onto his left shoulder and did not return to the floor. Before exiting, he led all scorers with 14 points in 17 minutes, adding five rebotes, six asistencias, three steals, and one block. Dallas held a commanding 77-43 advantage at the break before securing the 121-105 win.
Standings Context and Roster Impact for Mavericks
The absence leaves Dallas shorthanded as they enter the early weeks of the regular season. According to ESPN standings data, the Mavericks carry a 1-1 record into Saturday’s slate, sitting ninth in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs arrive at 0-2 and positioned 13th in the conference standings, as reported by DeportesDO. Head coach Dusty May, who led Michigan to an NCAA championship last season, must now adjust his rotation and distribute minutes across both ends of the floor without his leading playmaker.
Flagg Suffers Mild Left Shoulder Strain
Flagg began his campaign with a 32-point performance in a 128-110 loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. Last year, he averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebotes, and 4.5 asistencias per game. Medical imaging confirmed the mild left shoulder strain, but the franchise has not yet provided a definitive timeline for his return beyond the scheduled reevaluation next week.
More on Cooper Flagg
Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg both ruled out for Mavericks home opener against Spurs pic.twitter.com/lxVzHTI5dB
The Mavericks say Cooper Flagg underwent an MRI that revealed a mild left shoulder sprain.Flagg is out for tonight’s home opener against San Antonio and will be re-evaluated next week.
Cooper Flagg (shoulder) and Kyrie Irving (knee) are both OUT for the Mavericks as they get set to take on the Spurs, the team announced. pic.twitter.com/H533MYQAZP
An MRI determined that Cooper Flagg has a mild left shoulder sprain. He will be ruled out against the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks say he will be re-evaluated next week.
