Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg exits vs. Nuggets with ankle sprain
DALLAS — Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg did not return after halftime of Wednesday’s game against the Denver Nuggets because of a sprained left ankle.
The team announced early in the third quarter that Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick, had been ruled out for the rest of the game.
Flagg twisted the ankle while defending Denver’s Peyton Watson on a drive with 6:01 remaining in the second quarter.
Flagg, who was called for a foul on the play, limped off the floor and straight into the tunnel with Mavs athletic trainer Jana Austin following him.
Flagg returned to the game with 2:35 remaining but winced on multiple occasions while playing the rest of the quarter.
It was the second consecutive game that Flagg twisted that ankle. He returned in Monday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets after getting the ankle re-taped.
Flagg, the Rookie of the Year favorite, who is averaging 19.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, has played all but one game this season despite dealing with multiple injuries. His lone absence was due to illness in a Nov. 19 loss to the New York Knicks.
