Rookie Cooper Flagg exits final game early with ankle injury

Dallas star's standout debut season comes to an early end due to sprained left ankle.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:59am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball player's jump shot broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conveying the abrupt end to Cooper Flagg's promising rookie campaign.Flagg's standout rookie season ends on an unfortunate note as the young star's ankle injury cuts his final game short.Chicago Today

Cooper Flagg, the highly touted rookie forward for the Dallas Mavericks, exited Sunday's regular-season finale against the Chicago Bulls early due to a left ankle sprain. The injury occurred in the first half and Flagg did not return, marking the end of his standout debut NBA season.

Why it matters

Flagg had a breakout rookie campaign, establishing himself as a key part of the Mavericks' young core. His early exit due to injury raises questions about his health heading into the offseason and next season.

The details

Flagg, the 5th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, had a stellar first year, averaging 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. He was a finalist for Rookie of the Year and helped lead the Mavericks to the playoffs. The ankle injury occurred in the first half of Sunday's game against the Bulls, and Flagg was unable to return, ending his season on a disappointing note.

  • Flagg exited Sunday's regular-season finale against the Chicago Bulls in the first half.
  • The injury was diagnosed as a left ankle sprain, ending Flagg's rookie season.

The players

Cooper Flagg

A 22-year-old forward who was the 5th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and had a standout rookie season with the Dallas Mavericks.

Dallas Mavericks

The NBA team that drafted Cooper Flagg and he played his rookie season for.

Chicago Bulls

The opponent the Dallas Mavericks were playing against when Flagg suffered his ankle injury in the final game of the regular season.

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What they’re saying

“It's tough to see Cooper go down like that, especially in the final game. He's been such a huge part of our team this year and we're looking forward to him coming back strong next season.”

— Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks star

What’s next

Flagg will undergo further evaluation on his left ankle in the coming days to determine the severity of the sprain and timeline for recovery. The Mavericks are hopeful he will be fully healthy in time for the start of next season.

The takeaway

Despite the disappointing end to his rookie campaign, Cooper Flagg's first NBA season was a resounding success. He emerged as a key part of the Mavericks' young core and his development will be crucial as the team looks to build on this year's playoff appearance.