Mavericks Rookie Star Cooper Flagg Injured in Season Finale

The 19-year-old forward discusses the challenges of his first losing NBA season.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:56am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball player in motion, with sharp geometric shapes and bold colors representing the dynamic energy of the sport.A young NBA star's season ends in injury, raising questions about the team's future plans.Dallas Today

Dallas Mavericks rookie forward Cooper Flagg, 19, recently opened up on The Pat McAfee Show about the difficulties of experiencing his first losing season in the NBA after dominant high school and college careers. However, Flagg's season came to an abrupt end when he suffered an injury during the team's final game.

Why it matters

Flagg was a highly touted prospect and the Mavericks' first-round draft pick last year. His injury raises concerns about his long-term development and the team's plans for the future, as they look to rebuild around their young core.

The details

Flagg did not provide specifics on the nature or severity of his injury, which occurred during the Mavericks' season finale. The team has not released any official details, but the injury is expected to require an extended recovery period that could impact Flagg's availability for the start of next season.

  • Flagg joined The Pat McAfee Show on April 1 to discuss his rookie season.
  • The injury occurred during the Mavericks' final game of the 2025-26 season.

The players

Cooper Flagg

A 19-year-old forward who was the Dallas Mavericks' first-round draft pick last year.

Dallas Mavericks

An NBA team based in Dallas, Texas that is rebuilding around its young core of players.

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What they’re saying

“Obviously, it's been tough. Through high school [and] college, I mean, I only lost four games last year.”

— Cooper Flagg, Mavericks Rookie Forward

What’s next

The Mavericks will provide an update on the severity of Flagg's injury and his expected recovery timeline in the coming days.

The takeaway

Flagg's injury is a setback for the Mavericks, who were hoping the talented rookie would be a key part of their rebuilding efforts. The team will need to carefully manage his recovery to ensure he is ready to contribute next season.