Cooper Flagg, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, left Friday’s 121-105 win over the Pacers with a left shoulder injury after a flagrant foul by Aaron Nesmith. The team later announced an MRI revealed a mild left shoulder sprain. cbssportscbssports
What happened
Flagg landed hard on his left shoulder after Nesmith tried to block his shot from behind to stop a breakaway dunk. Dallas was up 33 points at the time. After review, the foul was upgraded to a Flagrant 1, and Naji Marshall and Nesmith got technicals. A brief scuffle followed. Flagg made both free throws before leaving. He had 14 points in 17 minutes. Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg lands on shoulder after hard foul, exits win vs. Pacers +5
Why fans worry
It’s the same shoulder he injured as a rookie. Dallas’s coach said Flagg was in good spirits. It was Dallas’s first win of the season. Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg lands on shoulder after hard foul, exits win vs. Pacers +2
What’s next
Dallas hosts Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs on Saturday, and Flagg’s status was unclear in the reports I found. Check the team’s latest injury report. nbcsports
Bottom line
An MRI is better news than many feared, but the timeline is unknown.
