Cooper Flagg injury update: will he play against the New York Knicks?

The Dallas Mavericks appear to be getting a bit of relief in an otherwise difficult stretch.

Rookie forward Cooper Flagg, who has been left out from recent line-ups due to a left ankle sprain, was upgraded on Monday’s injury report ahead of the Mavericks’ game against the New York Knicks. Coaches and medical staff have listed him as questionable, meaning that a late decision will be taken on his fitness for the upcoming game.

Flagg’s absence has been felt keenly in Dallas. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft suffered the sprain during a game against the Denver Nuggets, aggravating an earlier twist he suffered in the prior match. Despite attempting to play through it, Flagg left the court and did not return for the second half.

Dallas’ injury situation has been unusually deep this season. Flagg has joined a growing list of players listed as questionable or out on reports, complicating head coach Jason Kidd’s rotation decisions.

“When you have Cooper Flagg, it makes clutch games a little bit easier,” Kidd said to reporters after the injury to the 19-year-old. “Just understanding we practice these moments in practice… In some of these close games, we’ve been able to have success, but some of them we’ve lost. Both scenarios we can learn from.”

Across the first half of Flagg’s rookie campaign, he is showing his talent and why the Mavs moved so quickly for him. He is posting averages of 18.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, with a spectacular 42-point masterclass he put on show against the Utah Jazz on December 15.

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The Knicks are not in fine shape, either, with star man Jalen Brunson out with an ankle sprain. Their leading scorer at 28.2 points per game remains sidelined and New York have struggled without him, losing eight of the last 10 after a strong December run.

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