Mavericks’ Flagg receives clearance following an 8-game absence.
Dallas Mavericks rookie sensation Cooper Flagg has received medical clearance to return after being sidelined for the past eight games due to a left midfoot sprain, sources informed ESPN.
Flagg plans to participate in Thursday night’s away game against the Orlando Magic. He is currently designated as questionable.
The Mavericks have not dismissed the chance of Flagg competing in both games of the back-to-back, with the second matchup taking place in Boston on Friday night. The Celtics were Flagg’s preferred team during his upbringing in Newport, Maine.
Flagg sustained the foot injury in a February 10 defeat to the Phoenix Suns, which caused the No. 1 overall pick to miss the Rising Stars game during All-Star Weekend.
At 19 years old, Flagg has recorded averages of 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists over 49 games, a performance that places him among notable company. The only other rookies to average at least 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists since the ABA-NBA merger are Luka Doncic, Michael Jordan, and Larry Bird.
Nonetheless, Flagg has been overtaken by his Duke teammate Kon Knueppel as the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year. Knueppel has been instrumental in the Charlotte Hornets’ impressive midseason resurgence, averaging 19.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while breaking the rookie record for three-pointers made, shooting 43.6% from beyond the arc.
