Mavericks' Cooper Flagg Ruled Out With Injury in Season Finale Against Bulls

Flagg's impressive rookie season comes to an early end due to ankle injury.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:07am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball player's jump shot broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, conceptually representing the fragmented nature of Cooper Flagg's injury-shortened season.Flagg's ankle injury cuts short his push for Rookie of the Year honors in the Mavericks' season finale.Dallas Today

In the final game of the Dallas Mavericks' disastrous 2025-26 season, rookie sensation Cooper Flagg was forced to leave the game early after rolling his ankle while fighting for an offensive rebound. Flagg had gotten off to a hot start, scoring 10 points in his first 10 minutes, but the injury ended his night and his push for the Rookie of the Year award.

Why it matters

Flagg had a standout rookie campaign, becoming the first player since Michael Jordan to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. His early exit in the season finale was a disappointing end to an otherwise impressive season, and leaves his Rookie of the Year candidacy in question as he battles with former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel for the award.

The details

Flagg's ankle injury occurred while he was fighting for an offensive rebound. He landed on the foot of a Chicago Bulls player, rolling his ankle and being ruled out shortly after. Prior to the injury, Flagg had scored 10 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, and dished out 1 assist in just 10 minutes of action.

  • Flagg was injured in the first half of the Mavericks' season finale against the Chicago Bulls on April 13, 2026.

The players

Cooper Flagg

The Dallas Mavericks' first overall draft pick in 2025, who had a standout rookie season and was pushing for the Rookie of the Year award before suffering an ankle injury in the final game.

Kon Knueppel

Flagg's former Duke teammate, who is also a top contender for the Rookie of the Year award.

Tyler Smith

A Mavericks player who had 17 points off the bench in the game against the Bulls.

Klay Thompson

A Mavericks player who had 12 points in the game against the Bulls.

Rob Dillingham

A Bulls player who had 17 points on 8/12 shooting in 14 minutes of play.

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What’s next

The Mavericks will await the announcement of the Rookie of the Year award, where Flagg's injury-shortened season may impact his chances against Kon Knueppel.

The takeaway

Despite the disappointing end to his rookie campaign, Cooper Flagg's standout season has established him as a rising star in the NBA. Once he fully recovers from the ankle injury and continues to develop his game, he has the potential to become an elite player for the Mavericks.