Dallas—Rookie Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks suffered a left ankle sprain during Wednesday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets, forcing him to miss the second half. Flagg, who was selected as the first overall pick in the latest draft, sustained the injury while attempting to defend against Peyton Watson with 6:01 remaining in the second quarter.

After he fell to the floor, Flagg limped off the court to the bench and then headed to the locker room. Despite briefly returning for the last two minutes and 35 seconds of the half, he did not reappear after halftime. The Mavericks announced shortly thereafter that he would not return to the game.

The injury comes just two nights after Flagg tweaked the same ankle but managed to score 27 points during a 113-105 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. “He stepped on someone’s foot,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd explained. He indicated that Flagg would be held out for precautionary reasons due to the earlier injury.

Coach Kidd also mentioned uncertainty about Flagg’s availability for the next game against the Utah Jazz on Thursday night, as well as for center Daniel Gafford, who was sidelined with a right ankle sprain. Gafford exited the game against Denver due to injury concerns that have persisted throughout the season.

In his rookie season, Flagg has played 40 games, slightly more than his time at Duke, where he earned the title of The Associated Press men’s player of the year while leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four. He has showcased impressive skills, averaging 18.8 points and 6.3 rebounds this season, making him a contender for Kia Rookie of the Year.

The Mavericks are facing significant challenges as they have lost key players to injuries. Ten-time All-Star Anthony Davis is projected to be out for about six weeks due to ligament damage in his left hand, while center Dereck Lively II has been ruled out for the season following foot surgery.

“This is a tough moment for us,” Kidd said. “Injuries have been a factor since training camp began. We have faced adversity, but our character has shown through during these challenging times. We will continue to fight.”

With the roster stretched thin, Dallas must rely on its remaining players to step up as the season progresses, further emphasizing the importance of Flagg’s recovery and his contributions on the court.