Why Was Cooper Flagg Sidelined For The First Time In His NBA Career?

Nov 20, 2025

In more ways than one, the Dallas Mavericks’ 113–111 loss to the New York Knicks on Wednesday was a forgettable affair. Amidst the melodrama surrounding the negation of Brandon Williams’ game-tying layup, there was a historic first that happened in this encounter.

For 15 straight outings since the start of the season, star rookie Cooper Flagg had seen action on the floor for the Mavericks. Prior to the matchup with the Knicks, however, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Flagg would be missing a regular-season NBA game for the first time ever.

Mavs fans don’t have to feel devastated, either. The cause of the DNP was not a major injury.

With impeccable timing, Charania broke the news as he sat on the “NBA Countdown” panel. “He’s been feeling sick over the last 48 hours,” he said. “We know he’s been banged up as well.”

Perhaps wanting to be the first to react to the news, analyst Kendrick Perkins chimed in. “Wouldn’t you feel sick with all this going on?”

Perk, of course, is referring to the tough landscape that the Mavericks have been navigating for weeks. After getting off to a 2–3 start, Dallas has won just twice in its last 11 games. With no end to their current woes in sight, the organization decided to let go of GM Nico Harrison, who played an instrumental role in the blockbuster deal that shipped Luka Doncic out of Texas.

On top of this, rumors started to swirl about the Mavericks blowing things up and getting off to a fresh start. Though minority owner Mark Cuban denies that the team has any intentions of trading away their 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis, it has become increasingly clear that the future of the team will hinge upon a new cornerstone.

Why Was Cooper Flagg Sidelined For The First Time In His NBA Career?

Johnson, J. (2025). Cooper Flagg [Photo], Imagn Images

Though there is no definite timetable for Flagg’s return from illness, there’s a possibility that he’ll suit up once again over the weekend against the New Orleans Pelicans or the Memphis Grizzlies. Either way, the Mavericks would certainly welcome back his diverse skill set as they try to avoid another lengthy skid.

Written by Dave Blinebury

Dave Blinebury is a sports die-hard who has written extensively about the careers and achievements of NBA athletes. He has also covered the intensity of FIBA tournaments, watched Brittney Sykes sink the title-clinching shot in the first season of Unrivaled, and waxed poetic about Olympic boxing.