10/23/2026 10:30:00
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10/23 22:28 CDT Mavericks lose Cooper Flagg with shoulder injury following hard
foul in 1st half against Pacers
Mavericks lose Cooper Flagg with shoulder injury following hard foul in 1st
half against Pacers
By MICHAEL MAROT
AP Sports Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) --- A jarring flagrant foul knocked Cooper Flagg awkwardly to
the floor and eventually out of the game Friday night.
Now it's unclear whether the Dallas star will miss any more time.
Last season's NBA Rookie of the Year did not play in the second half of Dallas'
121-105 victory Friday night over the Indiana Pacers after landing hard on his
left shoulder after Aaron Nesmith tried to block his shot from behind to
prevent a breakaway dunk.
Instead, Flagg landed hard on his shoulder.
"Cooper has left shoulder soreness, he'll be evaluated in the next couple of
days," Mavericks coach Dusty May said before addressing whether Flagg needed an
MRI. "I really don't know. I saw him in the locker room, he's in good spirits.
We'll know in the next couple days what's next."
Flagg did not speak to reporters following the game.
He was off to a fast start in his second pro season. Two days after scoring 32
points to become the highest scoring teenager in a season opener in league
history, Flagg was on pace for his first triple double of the season. He
finished with 14 points, five rebounds and six assists in 17 minutes.
But it was how he left that had everyone talking and scuffling as Mavericks
players came to the defense of their hurting teammate.
Forward Naji Marshall confronted Nesmith under the basket, drawing players from
both teams into a brief fray. After a replay review, the refs assessed double
technical fouls to Nesmith and Marshall. Flagg then made 1 of 2 free throws and
continued to rub his shoulder as he walked toward the locker room.
Two Mavericks players also appeared to leave the bench though May said he
thought both went to check on Flagg, perhaps avoiding any disciplinary action
from the league.
"Look, Nesmith is a great guy, a heck of a player. I've known him since he was
in high school," said May, who reached two NCAA Final Fours and won last year's
national championship just a few blocks away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
"Obviously, an unfortunate play. Hopefully, Coop's fine."
Another brief scuffle broke out between the teams near midcourt in the second
half though it led to technicals or flagrant fouls. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle
noted that Indiana has now played two games that have resulted in multiple
scuffles.
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