The Mavericks can only afford to be patient with one of their stars.
When Wednesday’s matchup with Indiana tipped off, I thought the biggest concern for Dallas—aside from their 1-3 record—was seeing Cooper Flagg ranked fourth in the first installment of the Kia Rookie of the Year ladder.
Maybe you weren’t too bothered by that. Honestly, I didn’t even know weekly Rookie of the Year rankings were a thing. But we all remember the Mavericks’ near-miraculous lottery win last May—snagging the No. 1 pick with just a 1.8% chance—and how there was never any doubt that the pick would be Flagg. So maybe it’s too soon for criticism. Ten games, perhaps, before rushing to judgment?
Flagg responded with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists in Dallas’ 109–107 win over the Indiana Pacers, a team dealing with even more injuries than the Mavericks. But Dallas wasn’t spared either—Anthony Davis exited after just seven minutes following an awkward landing, aggravating a lingering Achilles issue.
Patience makes sense for Flagg. For Davis, it’s a luxury the Mavericks can’t afford. The veteran forward’s latest setback could sideline him for a long stretch—something that’s become all too familiar.
“Left lower leg soreness,” head coach Jason Kidd said postgame. “We’ll see how he feels moving forward.”
If it’s serious, it won’t be surprising. Expecting Davis to carry the team until Kyrie Irving returns from knee surgery was always a long shot. Both are in their mid-30s, both injury-prone, and both have missed hundreds of games.
This is Flagg’s team now—whether Dallas planned it or not. The rookie’s early numbers (13.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists per game) may not pop off the page, but he’s showing flashes of what made him Duke’s standout star just months ago.
“Before the season’s over, you’ll see the full scope of what he can do,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “He’s versatile, smart, and sees the game in real time—that’s rare for an 18-year-old.”
Flagg’s struggles—like scoring just two points against the Thunder—are part of the learning curve. He’s facing the best defenders in the world at 18, while many of his rookie peers are 20, 21, or older.
“The rookie class is strong,” Kidd noted. “Some are a little older, but Cooper’s ready for the challenge. It’s okay to fail—there’s always another day to come back and get better.”
Patience pays off. Just ask Dirk Nowitzki, who averaged 8.2 points as a rookie at nearly 20 years old. He wasn’t even named to the All-Rookie team that year—but now, there’s a street named after him in Dallas.
As Carlisle put it, “Dirk had his comparisons early too, and that’s never easy. But Cooper’s got the right mindset—focused, composed, and all business. It’s pretty special to see.”
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