NBA: Mavs Forward Cooper Flagg set to return Thursday on minutes restriction

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg has been cleared to return from a left midfoot sprain and is in uniform for Thursday's game in Orlando.

The 19-year-old plans to take the court against the Orlando Magic after missing eight games. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft participated in part of Tuesday’s shootaround and was upgraded from doubtful on Tuesday to questionable ahead of Thursday’s matchup.

A minutes restriction is expected for Flagg until he is fully healthy.

ESPN reported the Mavericks are considering giving Flagg playing time on Friday in Boston, against the team he grew up supporting in Newport, Maine.

“He’s ramping up,” Dallas coach Jaso Kidd said earlier this week. “Everything is going well. Tuesday was to get him back in his routine, and hopefully, as we go on this road trip, he can play a game or two.”

Flagg missed the Rising Stars game during All-Star Weekend after suffering the injury on February 10 in a road loss to the Phoenix Suns.

After leading Duke University to the Final Four in his only college season, Flagg is on track to join Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Luka Dončić as one of the few NBA rookies to average at least 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists since the ABA-NBA merger.

Through 49 games—all starts—Flagg entered Thursday averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.

-Field Level Media/Reuters