Cooper Flagg Injured in Mavericks’ Final Game

Cooper Flagg’s rookie season came to an unexpected end on Sunday. The #1 pick of the 2025 NBA Draft left the court in the second quarter of the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Chicago Bulls after spraining his left ankle.

An injury that ends an exceptional rookie season

The incident occurred early in the second quarter, when Flagg landed awkwardly after attempting to grab his own offensive rebound between two Bulls defenders. The 19-year-old immediately limped on the court before heading to the tunnel to receive medical attention.

The Mavericks officially ruled Flagg out a few minutes later, with 10 minutes and 11 seconds remaining before halftime. He had recorded 10 points and four rebounds in just 10 minutes of play in this final regular season game.

This injury brings an end to a remarkable rookie season for Flagg, who finishes with averages of 21.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 70 games. He leads Dallas in all of those statistical categories and finished just five blocks behind teammate Daniel Gafford.

Cooper Flagg left the floor in the Mavs’ final game with an apparent limp after this play. pic.twitter.com/QFt9IZiLH8

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 13, 2026

A tight race for Rookie of the Year

Flagg’s injury comes as he is engaged in a fierce battle for the Rookie of the Year award with his former Duke roommate, Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets. Knueppel posted averages of 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists, while setting a rookie record with 273 three-pointers made.

This season was not without its challenges for Flagg, who had already missed eight games between February 12 and March 3 due to a mid-foot sprain on his left foot. He returned to action on March 5 against the Orlando Magic. Earlier this month, he became the youngest player in NBA history to score at least 50 points, dropping 51 against the Orlando Magic.

The Mavericks finish their season with a record of 25 wins and 56 losses, well short of playoff contention in the Western Conference. The severity of Flagg‘s sprain has not yet been determined, but the injury is not expected to affect his candidacy for the Rookie of the Year award.

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