The Dallas Mavericks are spiraling, and the panic in Texas is becoming palpable. Following a heartbreaking 113–111 loss to the New York Knicks on November 19, the team has dropped five of its last six games, falling to a dismal 4–12 record to start the 2025–26 campaign. But the biggest concern wasn’t the scoreboard, it was the empty spot in the lineup where rookie phenom Cooper Flagg usually stands.
Just as fans began to fear the worst, a crucial update has finally clarified his status for tonight’s showdown.
Will Cooper Flagg Play Against the Pelicans?
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Mavericks have confirmed that Flagg will return to the court Friday night at home against the New Orleans Pelicans. The rookie sat out Wednesday’s loss to the Knicks due to an unexpected illness, marking the first regular-season absence of his young NBA career.
The organization made the call to rest him after downgrading Flagg to questionable just hours before tipoff. This last-minute decision highlighted the team’s cautious approach with their prized No. 1 overall pick, ensuring a minor sickness didn’t turn into a lingering issue.
Flagg’s debut campaign has been a trial by fire. Since being drafted first overall in 2025, he has shouldered a massive workload for Dallas, often shifting between forward and emergency point guard duties. However, the physical toll began to show in late October during a matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Flagg suffered a left shoulder injury minutes into the game, limiting him to just two points on 1-of-9 shooting.
The shoulder issue flared up again on Nov. 3 against Houston, where he was seen favoring his arm in the second quarter. This sparked questions about whether the medical staff had rushed him back too soon, a recurring concern given the team’s history with injured stars. Adding to the knocks, Flagg sprained his right thumb on a dunk against the Washington Wizards. Despite the rookie downplaying the pain, these cumulative hits have already tested his durability.
What History Did Flagg Make Against Portland?
Despite the bumps and bruises, Flagg has shown exactly why he was so coveted. Through his first 15 games, he is averaging 15.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while shooting 45.5% from the floor and logging 33.7 minutes a night. His potential fully crystallized during the 138-133 overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 16.
In that victory, Flagg tallied 21 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and a steal on 9-of-16 shooting. Most impressively, he played a flawless floor game, committing no turnovers. That performance made him the youngest player in NBA history to record a 20-5-5 game with zero turnovers, joining LeBron James as the only other player to achieve the feat as a teenager.
While getting Flagg back provides a massive boost, Dallas remains far from full strength. Kyrie Irving continues to rehab his ACL injury, though head coach Jason Kidd indicated he is progressing faster than initially expected. The backcourt depth took another hit with Dante Exum ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Furthermore, Anthony Davis is not expected to return to the lineup until Sunday. With so many key contributors unavailable, securing a win against New Orleans will be a heavy lift, even with their rookie sensation back in uniform.
