Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks were in the process of spoiling Tyrese Haliburton’s comeback in front of the home fans when the 19-year-old forward left the game with an injury. Flagg was sidelined after suffering a shoulder injury on a Flagrant-1 foul by Indiana Pacers wing Aaron Nesmith. The injury occurred in the final minute of the first half, and the Mavericks were already up by 33 when it happened.
After a bad turnover by Indiana forward Pascal Siakam, Flagg ran down the floor in transition. Nesmith attacked behind him and challenged the play from behind. After Flagg landed, the two sides argued and the refs reviewed the play before awarding Flagrant-1 on Nesmith. Flagg stayed in the game to make both free throws and then headed to the locker room. He didn’t start the second half and wasn’t even on the Dallas bench.
Watch the game where the flag was damaged here:
Nesmith stayed in the game. Players are only sent off for Flagrant-2 violations, which Nesmith didn’t get because he hit Flagg in the arm, not in the head, on his way to the ball.
Here is the injury statement from the Mavericks. The team called it “left shoulder pain.”
Flagg had 14 minutes, six assists, five rebounds and three steals in 17 minutes during the injury.
We’ll update this story as it develops.