Cooper Flagg will play against the Hornets after missing the Timberwolves game
The Dallas Mavericks they will have a rookie up front Cooper Flagg back in the lineup Thursday night as they prepare to face the Charlotte Hornets, ending his one-game absence with a left ankle injury.
Dallas (19-28) hosts Charlotte (20-28) at 8:30 PM ET as it tries to snap a two-game losing streak. The Hornets enter the match on a four-game winning streak. Tonight will also feature the Mavericks retiring franchise legend Marco Aguirre’s No. 24 jersey in a pregame ceremony.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported Flagg’s return on Thursday via X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Cooper Flagg will return to the Mavericks’ lineup against Charlotte tonight to face his former Duke teammate Kon Knuepel, league sources say.”
Flagg was out for Dallas on Wednesday night against Minnesota with a left ankle injury.
#24 heading to the rafts in Dallas!
The Mavericks will honor Marco Aguirre with his jersey retirement ceremony tonight at halftime of the Hornets/Mavs at 8:30pm on NBA Pass. pic.twitter.com/FgoJT8jki4
— NBA (@NBA) January 29, 2026
Cooper Flagg returns to the Mavericks lineup against the Hornets
Flagg did not play Wednesday 118-105 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolvesas Dallas opted for caution on the second night of back-to-back games. Before that, the 19-year-old last appeared on Saturday at 116–110 loss to the Los Angeles Lakersfinished with 16 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals while shooting 7-for-20 from the field and 1-for-5 from three-point range in 34 minutes.
In 43 games this season, Flagg is averaging 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 28 percent from the bench in 33.8 minutes per game.
Dallas will look to regain momentum with Flagg back in the lineup against a Charlotte team that has grown over the past week, setting the stage for a notable night both competitively and historically at American Airlines Center.
2026-01-29 19:49:00
