Cooper Flagg was ruled out for the second half of the Dallas Mavericks’ 121-105 win over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night after suffering left shoulder soreness on a hard foul late in the second quarter.
The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year had posted 14 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals in just 17 minutes before departing. With 59.7 seconds left in the first half, Flagg was headed for a breakaway dunk when Pacers swingman Aaron Nesmith challenged him hard from behind, sending the 19-year-old sprawling to the floor. He landed awkwardly on his left shoulder under the basket.
Cooper Flagg Injury: Flagrant 1 and a Scuffle
After review, Nesmith was assessed a flagrant-1 foul. The play immediately sparked tempers: Dallas guard Naji Marshall rushed in and shoved Nesmith, resulting in double technical fouls for both players as coaches scrambled to separate the teams.
Flagg continued rubbing his shoulder as he walked to the locker room before halftime, and the Mavericks announced at the break that the second-year star would not return. Dallas carried a commanding 77-43 lead into the locker room and closed out the win without him.
Dusty May on Cooper Flagg’s Shoulder Injury
Mavericks head coach Dusty May struck a measured tone postgame. “Nesmith’s a great guy. Heck of a player. I’ve known him since he was in high school,” May told reporters. “Obviously, an unfortunate play. Hopefully Coop’s fine, but obviously it’s something we wish wouldn’t have happened.”
Flagg opened his season with 32 points and five rebounds in the Mavericks’ loss to the Houston Rockets, and he averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists over 70 games last season. Dallas will be holding its breath for an update on the shoulder ahead of the next game.
Cooper Flagg (Credits: USA Today / NBA)
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Source: ESPN — read the full story there.
