Flagg clears to play, posts double-double as Mavericks beat Pacers

Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg was cleared to play and helped his team hold off the Indiana Pacers in a 107-105 home victory on Wednesday, delivering a 15-point, 10-rebound, four-assist performance after missing part of a previous game with a shoulder concern. The 18-year-old No. 1 overall pick started at multiple positions and logged heavy minutes as Dallas overcame late Indiana rallies to improve its early-season record.

Flagg left an earlier game against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a sore shoulder and was limited to two points on 1-for-9 shooting, but scans were negative and he was removed from the injury report ahead of the matchup with the Pacers. Against Indiana, he attacked the paint down the stretch and finished with a double-double, including seven fourth-quarter points that helped preserve the Mavericks’ slim lead. The win was decided when Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith missed a last-second 3-pointer.

The Pacers were shorthanded for the game and inserted guard Mac McClung into the rotation. The matchup produced a notable sequence in which Flagg used his 6-foot-9 frame to score over the smaller McClung and drew spirited reactions from fans. Flagg also finished...