Dallas Mavericks fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Rookie sensation Cooper Flagg confirmed that his thumb injury, which sparked concern during Monday night’s narrow 116-114 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, is only a minor sprain — not a major setback.
Flagg, 18, played through the pain and still delivered a career-high 26 points, tying LeBron James’ rookie record as the youngest player to post 25+ points in an NBA game. His resilience not only kept Dallas competitive but also silenced fears of a long-term injury.
“It’s just a little sprain — nothing too crazy,” Flagg said postgame, noting that the injury actually happened during a dunk attempt in a previous matchup against the Wizards. “It’s sore, but I’ll tape it up and keep playing.”
Mavericks Confirm No Structural Damage
Dallas later confirmed there was no structural damage, adding that Flagg will be monitored but is expected to be available for Wednesday’s game vs. the Phoenix Suns. The update comes as much-needed good news for a team already missing Anthony Davis, who’s been sidelined since October 29 with a lingering calf strain.
Flagg’s toughness was evident throughout the Milwaukee matchup. He shot 9-of-15 from the field, grabbed nine rebounds, dished four assists, and added two steals — a performance that had NBA fans and players buzzing.
Praise From Giannis and Kidd
Even in defeat, Flagg’s breakout caught the attention of Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who called the rookie “a high-IQ player with incredible potential.”
“He plays with great pace and confidence,” Giannis said. “You can tell he’s going to be special.”
Head coach Jason Kidd, who once coached Giannis in Milwaukee, appears to be grooming Flagg in a similar mold — giving him the freedom to handle the ball and make plays across positions. Flagg is now averaging 13.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3 assists through 10 games.
While his shooting efficiency (40.3% FG, 27% from deep) still needs polish, Monday’s performance felt like a turning point. As the Mavericks sit at 3-8, Flagg’s rapid growth could be the spark that helps steady the team’s rocky start.
Healthy, confident, and fearless, Cooper Flagg just reminded everyone — including Giannis — why he’s the future of Dallas basketball.
