Is Cooper Flagg Playing Tonight Against New Orleans Pelicans? Major Update on Mavericks Rookie Amid Illness Concerns (Nov. 21)

Cooper Flagg will suit up for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Cup game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. Flagg missed Wednesday's game against the New York Knicks due to illness, but wasn't listed on the injury report ahead of the Mavericks game. Dallas suffered a heartbreaking 113-111 loss in the 6-foot-9 rookie's absence.

The former Duke phenom has also been dealing with some nagging injuries. Over the course of the last two weeks, the No. 1 pick has been playing through recent thumb and shoulder injuries. He has missed just one of the Mavericks' 16 games, starting in all 15 contests that he has played.

Flagg has delivered consistent performances, standing as the only rookie ranked in the top five in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. Yet despite his all-around production, he trails Charlotte Hornets standout Kon Knueppel in the Rookie of the Year race.

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Flagg is averaging 15.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals on 34 minutes per night. The standout rookie is shooting 45.5% from the floor, including 29.3% from 3-point range. The Mavericks, however, find themselves rooted at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a 4-12 record.

Meanwhile, Anthony Davis will miss his 12th consecutive game with a left calf strain. Ryan Nembhard remains out with a left knee sprain, while Kyrie Irving is recovering from knee surgery. Dante Exum was ruled out of the entire season with a knee injury on Thursday.

How to watch Cooper Flagg in action during Mavericks vs. Pelicans?

NBA fans can watch Cooper Flagg in action during the Dallas Mavericks vs. New Orleans Pelicans game on KFAA (local) and Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network (local). NBA League Pass and Fubo TV app and website (regional restrictions may apply) will stream the game live.

The Mavericks will host the Pelicans at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Friday, with tipoff slated for 8:30 p.m. EST (5:30 p.m. PT).

Edited by Atishay Jain