Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks rookie left the team’s loss to the Denver Nuggets Wednesday with a sprained left ankle.
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said Flagg first injured his left foot in Monday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets, then landed awkwardly on it with 6:01 left in the second quarter against the Nuggets. Flagg grabbed the ankle for a few moments while wincing in pain.
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Flagg returned later in the second quarter, but he was clearly dealing with an injury. He did not play in the second half and did not return to the bench.
“He stepped on someone’s foot and I think in the last game he twisted his ankle as well,” Kidd told reporters after the game. “So they decided to keep him for the second half.”
Mavericks center Daniel Gafford also left with an ankle injury. The Nuggets beat the Mavs 118-109.
Flagg lived up to his status as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, averaging 19.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists. Despite the Mavericks’ struggles, he is the favorite for the Rookie of the Year award this season.
