Mavericks Rookie Flagg Out for All-Star Weekend with Foot Sprain

Dallas Mavericks rookie forward Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, will miss the upcoming All-Star Weekend festivities after suffering a left midfoot sprain in Tuesday night's 120-111 loss to the Phoenix Suns. The 19-year-old former Duke standout underwent an MRI on Wednesday that confirmed the injury, the team announced, sidelining him for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers and Friday's Rising Stars challenge at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

Flagg recorded 27 points, five rebounds and two assists in the Phoenix game before exiting in the fourth quarter. The injury occurred during Dallas' road matchup, marking a setback for the highly touted prospect who has emerged as a leading candidate for NBA Rookie of the Year honors. Over his first 53 games this season, Flagg leads all first-year players in scoring at 20.4 points per game while ranking fourth among rookies in rebounds with 6.6 and assists with 4.1. He also ties for fourth in steals and has recorded 39 blocks, third on the Mavericks behind P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford.

The Mavericks, who hold a 19-34 record and sit 12th in the Western Conference after eight straight...