The Dallas Mavericks will play their home opener against the San Antonio Spurs without either of their stars, Cooper Flagg or Kyrie Irving.
Both have been ruled out for Saturday night’s game, Flagg with a shoulder sprain and Irving due to “injury management.”
The team announced Saturday that Flagg underwent an MRI that revealed a mild left shoulder sprain and he’ll be reevaluated next week. Irving was announced as out a couple of hours before tipoff.
Flagg sustained the injury in the final minute of second quarter of Friday’s win at Indiana after he was fouled on a dunk attempt by Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith. Flagg landed on his arm and clutched his left shoulder as he laid on hardwood while Naji Marshall confronted Nesmith for the hard foul. Flagg was on pace for his first career triple-double at the time of his injury and he left the game with 14 points, five rebounds, six assists, three steals and one block.
Flagg is one of 10 players on a lengthy injury report for Saturday’s game, the back end of Dallas’ first back-to-back of the season.
With the Mavericks starting their season with a stretch of three games in four nights, head coach Dusty May told reporters that Irving would sit on Saturday due to “injury management.”
Max Christie [right shin contusion], Morez Johnson Jr. [right shin splints] and Zaccharie Risacher [right hip soreness] were also questionable for Saturday’s game.
The Mavericks were also without Santi Aldama [right knee surgery], Tarik Biberovic [right heel bursitis], Caleb Martin [right thumb sprain] and Dereck Lively II [right foot surgery]. Two-way forward Jett Howard was doubtful because of a right calf strain.
Flagg also suffered a minor left shoulder injury against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 27, 2025, but he did not miss any games because of it. Instead, he played and wore a wrap over his arm during timeouts.
It is unclear which day Flagg will be evaluated again, but the Mavericks have three games next week starting with Monday’s road game in Miami, followed by two home games against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets.
With the Mavs missing both of their primary offensive weapons vs. San Antonio, they’ll need P.J. Washington and Marshall to provide stability on that end.
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