Dallas Mavericks Rookie Cooper Flagg Sustains Left Shoulder Injury in Loss to Oklahoma City Thunder

Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg suffered a minor left shoulder injury during the first possession of their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, which significantly affected his performance in the 101-94 loss. Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, played through shoulder soreness but struggled offensively, scoring just two points on 1-for-9 shooting and contributing two rebounds and two steals. Despite the injury, Flagg remains optimistic about his recovery, expecting to undergo scans and continue rehabilitation with hopes of being ready for the next game against the Indiana Pacers. Head coach Jason Kidd praised Flagg's toughness and maturity, explaining that Flagg's benching late in the game was a tactical decision due to his lackluster performance and the team's momentum. The Mavericks have taken a cautious, day-to-day approach to Flagg's injury, awaiting further evaluations before determining his availability for upcoming games. This injury came after Flagg's strong start to the season, where he averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in his first three NBA games, including a 22-point career-high performance against the Toronto Raptors.