Mavericks End 26-56 Season with Flagg Ankle Injury

The Dallas Mavericks wrapped up a disappointing 26-56 regular season on Sunday with a 149-128 victory over the Chicago Bulls at American Airlines Center, but the finale was overshadowed by an injury to star rookie Cooper Flagg. The 19-year-old forward, the team's top overall draft pick in 2025, sprained his left ankle in the second quarter after landing awkwardly on the foot of Bulls forward Leonard Miller and did not return, ending his campaign on a somber note.

Flagg's rookie season stood out amid the Mavericks' struggles, as he became the first teenager in NBA history to score 50 points in a game, dropping 51 on the Orlando Magic on April 3. He also notched 45 points against the Los Angeles Lakers two days later, surpassing LeBron James for the most 40-point games by a teenager. Over 70 games, Flagg averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks, leading Dallas in total points, rebounds, assists and steals. That feat places him alongside Michael Jordan as the only rookies to achieve it since the 1973-74 season. Despite his efforts, the Mavericks missed the playoffs for the second straight year, finishing 12th in the Western Conference.