DALLAS — Rookie forward Cooper Flagg acknowledged feeling some relief after the Mavericks collected a road victory in Washington, ending a shaky stretch that had left him visibly frustrated earlier in the week.
Head coach Jason Kidd reminded the 19-year-old that the NBA schedule is an 82-game marathon, far removed from his days at Duke or in high school. “You learn really fast when you play 82 games with the best players in the world,” Kidd told reporters. “You’re going to lose more than six games, but you learn from losing each time you take the floor.”
Kidd also said guard Dante Exum is undergoing a fresh evaluation on the right knee injury that has sidelined him since the opening days of training camp. Exum has yet to participate in a full practice this season.
Suns fear another layoff for Jalen Green
LOS ANGELES — Phoenix is bracing for the possibility that guard Jalen Green could miss four to six weeks after re-aggravating his right hamstring during Saturday’s win over the Clippers.
Green felt a sharp pain after swinging a pass to Ryan Dunn late in the first quarter, immediately grabbed the back of his leg, and needed assistance to reach the locker room. The 22-year-old was quickly ruled out. It was only his second game with the Suns since arriving from Houston in the blockbuster Kevin Durant trade; he had scored 29 points in his debut Thursday after sitting out the first eight contests with the same injury.
“Injuries suck, but he’ll work hard,” teammate Dillon Brooks said. Radio analyst John Gambadoro (Arizona Sports 98.7) reported the guard will undergo imaging once the team returns to Phoenix and projected a four-to-six-week timetable.
Interim head coach Jordan Ott said the Suns “will have no excuses” and identified Dunn and Grayson Allen as candidates for increased minutes. Brooks, back from a core-muscle issue, contributed 16 points, including a late three-pointer that halted a Clippers rally.
Demin starts for Nets as Thomas rests hamstring
BROOKLYN — Rookie guard Egor Demin made his first NBA start Friday with leading scorer Cam Thomas sidelined by a hamstring strain expected to keep him out three to four weeks.
Demin posted eight points, seven assists and just one turnover, earning praise from head coach Jordi Fernandez. “His super power on defense is his length and rebounding,” Fernandez said, adding that Demin’s willingness to ask questions accelerates his learning curve.
Thomas said the strain is less severe than the hamstring injury he suffered last season, calling it “a bullet dodged.”
Source: Hoops Wire
