Nation & World News
Nation & World News

Cooper Flagg's standout rookie season ends as the No. 1 pick of the Mavs injures ankle in finale

Cooper Flagg has been ruled out due to a sprained left ankle after the rookie No. 1 pick of the Dallas Mavericks limped to the locker room in the second quarter of the season finale
Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg, right, is injured during an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Albert Pena)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg, right, is injured during an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Albert Pena)
By SCHUYLER DIXON – AP Sports Writer
Updated April 13, 2026

DALLAS (AP) — Cooper Flagg has been ruled out due to a sprained left ankle after the rookie No. 1 pick of the Dallas Mavericks limped to the locker room in the second quarter of the season finale.

Flagg winced as he left the court against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday night, and the Mavs soon said he wouldn't return. The 19-year-old is in a tight race with former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel for Rookie of the Year.

It wasn't immediately clear how Flagg was injured. He had 10 points and four rebounds in 10 minutes before leaving the game. He will finish the season averaging 21.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 70 games.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

More Stories

Keep Reading

Falcons tackle Kaleb McGary — pictured against the Vikings in 2020 — started 92 games for Atlanta from 2019-2024 before missing all of 2025 with a knee injury. (David Berding/AP 2020)

Credit: AP

NFL

Kaleb McGary, the Falcons’ expected starter at right tackle, retires

Falcons right tackle Kaleb McGary announces his retirement. Atlanta added veteran Jawaan Taylor but may also prioritize the position in the NFL draft.

Falcons right tackle Kaleb McGary announces retirement after missing 2025 season with injury

Atlanta Falcons right tackle Kaleb McGary is retiring after missing the 2025 season with a lower left leg injury. The Falcons confirmed the decision by the 31-year-old McGary.

Tar Heels' Caleb Wilson makes 1-and-done leap official as top NBA prospect

North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson is headed to the NBA draft after what he called “the most fun year of my life” playing for the Tar Heels.

The Latest

People work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, Monday, April 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Credit: AP

Wall Street flirts with a record after its big rally the last 2 weeks

14m ago

Typhoon flipped over cars and ripped away roofs on US islands in the Pacific Ocean

16m ago

Student kills 4, wounds 20 others, in second school shooting in Turkey in 2 days

19m ago

Featured

Former High Museum of Art Chief Operating Officer Brady Lum is charged with a single count of theft from an entity that receives federal funds. He is accused of using the museum's money for $600,000 of personal expenses over three to four years. (Photo Illustration: Philip Robibero/AJC | Source: Getty, Pexels)

Credit: Philip Robibero

Ex-exec pleads not guilty to theft from High Museum of Art

Brady Lum, the museum’s former chief operating officer accused of using $600,000 for personal expenses, was granted a $10,000 bond.

Data center pitch highlights divide in changing SW Atlanta neighborhoods

A collection of Atlanta neighborhoods voted Monday night to formally oppose a controversial data center proposal near the West End MARTA station and Beltline.

BULLDOGS

Kirby Smart fires back at Steve Smith’s criticism of Georgia: ‘Do your homework’

Georgia football coach Kirby Smart responds to criticism of the Bulldogs' offense, including quarterback Gunner Stockton, made by former NFL wide receiver Steve Smith.