Mavericks fans won’t see their star player in the team’s home opener.
Cooper Flagg was ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Spurs with a left shoulder sprain.
The former No. 1 overall pick will be reevaluated next week, the team announced.
Flagg, the 2025-26 Rookie of the Year, suffered the injury during Friday night’s win over the Pacers, when Indiana forward Aaron Nesmith fouled him hard from behind on a dunk attempt late in the second quarter.
Flagg crashed to the floor and landed awkwardly on his left shoulder, sparking a scrum between the two teams.
Mavericks forward Naji Marshall immediately confronted Nesmith, setting off a brief shoving match.
Nesmith was also assessed a flagrant 1 foul for his contact with Flagg.
“Look, Nesmith is a great guy, a heck of a player. I’ve known him since he was in high school,” Mavericks coach Dusty May said after the game. “Obviously, an unfortunate play. Hopefully, Coop’s fine … He’s in good spirits. We’ll know in the next couple days what’s next.”
Flagg remained in the game to shoot free throws before heading to the locker room and did not return for the second half.
The injury interrupts a strong start to the 19-year-old’s second season in the NBA.
Flagg went off for 32 points in Wednesday’s season-opening loss to the Rockets, setting an NBA record for the most points scored by a teenager in a season opener.
He was putting together another strong performance Friday before leaving the game, recording 14 points, five rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block in just 17 minutes.
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