Mavs Remain Cautious With Cooper Flagg After Mid-Foot Sprain
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Dallas is treating rookie forward Cooper Flagg with extra care after the 19-year-old showed up to Saturday’s Duke-Clemson game in a walking boot on his left foot. Team insiders say the Mavericks feel fortunate the diagnosis is only a mid-foot sprain, avoiding a more serious setback. No official timetable has been issued for Flagg’s return.
The injury comes as the Mavericks limp into the All-Star break on a nine-game slide, their longest skid since the 1997-98 season. Dallas sits two games ahead of the Jazz and 1.5 games behind the Grizzlies in the Western Conference standings. With Memphis shifting into a rebuild after sending Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah—and Jackson now sidelined for the year following knee surgery—the Mavericks’ decision on when to re-insert Flagg looms large.
Kyrie Irving Nearing Decision on Season Return
Kyrie Irving told reporters Saturday he soon will announce whether he intends to play again this season. League insider Marc Stein reports the point guard’s choice will be made jointly with the franchise. While an extended absence could aid Dallas’s draft positioning, the final call will hinge on Irving’s physical readiness and his desire to shake off in-season rust.
Durant Focused on Retaining, Not Adding, Moves
In year 18, Kevin Durant says the priority is keeping every tool in his offensive kit sharp. “If you don’t use it, you lose it,” the Rockets star told the Houston Chronicle. Durant’s detailed pre-game routine mixes balance work with shooting drills, a regimen assistant coach Royal Ivey insists never produces a “bad workout.”
Rookie Cedric Coward Learns From Late-Game Misstep
Cedric Coward has started 35 of 48 contests for Memphis, averaging 13.3 points and 6.2 rebounds. Speaking with Yahoo Sports, the first-year forward recalled being stifled by Oklahoma City defender Alex Caruso on a final possession. “I was too complicated in what I was trying to do,” Coward said, adding the experience underscored the importance of simplicity in crunch time.
Source: Hoops Rumors
