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Cooper Flagg Injures Ankle, Ends Rookie Season Early

4/13/2026

50 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Flagg's Rookie Setback

Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks' No. 1 pick, ended his rookie season early after spraining his left ankle in the final game against the Chicago Bulls.
In that game, he scored 10 points and four rebounds in 10 minutes.
For the season, Flagg averaged 21.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists over 70 games, including a record-setting 51-point game.

History

Historical Context

The 1985 NBA Draft Lottery, held on May 1, marked a pivotal shift in how teams selected players, introducing a random drawing system to prevent tanking. The New York Knicks won the lottery, allowing them to draft Patrick Ewing, a future Hall of Famer. This event set a precedent for the importance of rookie talent, influencing team strategies and championship aspirations in the league.

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Flagg's Rookie Setback

Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks' No. 1 pick, ended his rookie season early after spraining his left ankle in the final game against the Chicago Bulls.
In that game, he scored 10 points and four rebounds in 10 minutes.
For the season, Flagg averaged 21.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists over 70 games, including a record-setting 51-point game.

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