The Dallas Mavericks (19-27) have failed to live up to expectations with a sub .500 record, but they’ve found their groove with a 4-1 stretch over their last five games.
The Minnesota Timberwolves (28-19) will play the visiting role for Wednesday’s 8:30 p.m. ET game.
Injuries have troubled Dallas, as Mavericks F Anthony Davis has played in only 20 of 46 games. Now, Mavericks F Cooper Flagg is questionable for tonight's game.
Could Dallas be without its top two players tonight, facing a Minnesota team that may not have Anthony Edwards?
Here’s how the latest Cooper Flagg injury update for tonight's game shifts player picks on PrizePicks and the latest news on whether Flagg is playing vs. the Timberwolves.
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Cooper Flagg Injury Update vs. Timberwolves Tonight
According to the NBA injury report, Cooper Flagg is questionable with an ankle injury today. He appeared at this morning’s shootaround, an encouraging sign for tonight’s matchup.
Davis (finger) will miss his ninth consecutive game tonight. Paired with Mavericks PG Kyrie Irving recovering from an ACL injury and C Dereck Lively II out for the season (foot), Dallas cannot afford another absence.
As the favorite to win Rookie of the Year (1.21x payout) on PrizePicks Team Picks, Flagg’s has excelled by posting 18.8 points per game (PPG), 6.4 rebounds per game (RPG), and 4.1 assists per game (APG).
Furthermore, the former No. 1 pick ranks second on the team with 15.2 shots per game and sports a healthy 24.8% usage rate (fourth on team), via FantasyLabs.
Flagg has stuffed the stat sheet over his last three games, recording 18.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 3.7 APG. Keep in mind, Dallas is already without Davis’ 20.4 PPG and 11.1 RPG.
Who could step up if Flagg joins Davis as an inactive tonight vs. Timberwolves?
Mavericks Players To Target If Flagg is Out vs. Timberwolves
The standout rookie missed matchups on January 15 and 17. In the two-game split, Mavericks SG Klay Thompson racked up 24.5 PPG and 6.0 made 3-pointers per game, smashing his averages of 11.7 PPG and 2.9 made triples per contest.
PrizePicks is projecting Klay Thompson to score 10.5 points tonight.
However, the Timberwolves have a strong perimeter defense, ranking fifth in 3-point shot distribution allowed, per Dunks & Threes. Additionally, opponents average only 12.5 made triples (seventh) and 35.3 shots from deep per game (fifth) against Minnesota’s defense.
While Thompson has increased usage in Flagg’s recent absences, tonight’s matchup may call for a pivot. Minnesota is 20th in shot distribution around the rim allowed and surrenders 50.2 points in the paint per game (tied for 14th).
Mavericks G Brandon Williams shoots only 19.0% from downtown and posts 0.5 made 3-pointers per game. The third-year guard from Arizona attempts 58.0% of his shots within 10 feet of the rim.
Plus, Williams sees the Mavs’ largest increase in usage rate when Davis and Flagg are off the court (+4.0%). He totaled 20.0 PPG in Flagg’s last two absences, compared to 12.4 PPG on the season.
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Cooper Flagg vs. Timberwolves Projections, Picks
Despite his questionable status, PrizePicks is still forecasting a busy night for Flagg vs. the Timberwolves tonight.
- 20.5 Points
- 31.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts
- 6.5 Rebounds
- 4.5 Assists
- 37.5 Fantasy Score
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If Cooper Flagg misses his first game since January 17, Thompson and Williams could step up in the backcourt. Which player could be the top pick for Wednesday’s meeting with the Timberwolves?
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