Dallas Mavericks F Cooper Flagg has enjoyed a stellar rookie season, averaging 20.4 points per game (PPG), 6.6 rebounds per game (RPG), and 4.1 assists per game (APG). He was on track to be the headline player of All-Star Weekend’s 2026 Rising Stars, which tips off on Friday, February 13 at 9:00 p.m. ET on Peacock.
Unfortunately, Flagg suffered a midfoot sprain on Wednesday and will be absent from All-Star festivities. Additionally, he'll miss Thursday’s 10:00 p.m. ET game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Prime Video. Could his absence extend past the All-Star break?
Let's dive into how the latest Cooper Flagg injury update may impact Mavericks vs. Lakers player projections on PrizePicks.
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Cooper Flagg Injury Update: How Long is Flagg Out?
According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, Flagg is expected to be available after the break. If that holds true, the only regular-season game he'll miss is Thursday’s prime-time bout between the Mavericks (19-34) and Lakers (32-21).
The NBA injury report officially lists the Duke product as out — his first absence since January 28. Dallas touts a 2-2 record without Flagg, but the team is currently struggling and on an eight-game losing streak.
NBA Advanced Stats ranks the Mavs 27th in offensive rating, as the unit totals only 114.1 PPG (22nd) and holds a 53.1% effective field goal percentage (22nd). Flagg’s posted absurd numbers since returning from injury on January 29, producing 32.0 PPG while shooting 52.6% from the field and 45.5% on 3-pointers.
The Lakers sit 18th in NET rankings, a step ahead of the Mavericks at 22nd. However, L.A. will be without Lakers F Luka Doncic (hamstring), while C Deandre Ayton (knee) is questionable. Los Angeles is 23rd in defensive rating.
There may still be an angle for the Mavs to find success. Who could step up with Flagg out of the rotation?
Mavericks Players to Target with Flagg Out vs. Lakers
Alongside the former No. 1 pick on the injury report, Mavericks F Naji Marshall (foot) is questionable. He's second on the team with a scoring average of 15.0 PPG.
When Flagg and Marshall are off the court, Mavericks G Brandon Williams sees a 3.6% increase in usage rate, per FantasyLabs. In the rookie’s three absences in January, Williams stepped up with 19.0 PPG — comfortably clearing his 12.6 PPG season average.
According to Dunks & Threes, the Lakers rank 19th and 20th in shot distributions around the rim and from beyond the arc allowed. Los Angeles surrenders 51.3 points in the paint per game (20th); Williams attempts 58.7% if his shots within 10 feet of the rim.
If Marshall is active, his usage rate jumps by 2.0% when Flagg is off the court. The Xavier product takes 54.4% of his shots within 10 feet, perhaps providing a strong angle against the Lakers’ weak interior defense.
Additionally, Marshall recorded 31 points on Tuesday and has averaged 19.5 PPG in February. He’s shot 38.9% on triples this month, and Los Angeles cedes 13.6 3-pointers per game (19th).
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Mavericks F Naji Marshall vs. Lakers Projections, Picks
PrizePicks’ projections are in line with Marshall’s recent hot streak.
- 19.5 Points
- 28.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- 5 Rebounds
- 4 Assists
- 3.5 3-PT Attempts
- 32.5 Fantasy Score
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While Flagg’s injury isn't expected to be long-term, the Mavericks’ offense could still take a hit on Thursday against the Lakers. If Marshall is also out, Williams could be a pivot for player picks. After scoring at least 31 points in two of his last three games, an active Marshall could replace some of the lost production.
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