Dallas Mavericks rookie forward Cooper Flagg hurt his left shoulder on the first possession of Monday night’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder and remained on the bench during the closing minutes of a 117-113 defeat at American Airlines Center.
Flagg, 19, logged 31 minutes despite the early setback, alternating between action and treatment that included a large wrap and heat packs. He finished with two points on 1-for-9 shooting. Head coach Jason Kidd kept him out of crunch time as Dallas trimmed a 22-point deficit to four before falling short.
“We’re going to get some scans to make sure everything’s clean,” Flagg told reporters afterward. “It feels sore, but with ice and rehab I should be good to go.” The Mavericks visit the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.
The injury occurred while Flagg and Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein battled for a rebound. Kidd said Flagg’s removal late in the contest was a tactical move. “He’s a tough kid playing through pain, but we needed the group that was rolling,” Kidd explained.
Monday’s outing capped Flagg’s first NBA back-to-back; he scored 22 points Sunday in a win over Toronto. The Mavericks were already without centers Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, prompting Kidd to start Max Christie for the first time this season.
“I wasn’t myself,” Flagg admitted. “Coach was trying to win the game, and I understand that.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
