Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is expected to be available on Friday night when Dallas faces the Boston Celtics, while veteran guard Klay Thompson looks probable on the team's latest injury report.
Dallas released its updated report ahead of the matchup at the TD Garden, listing Thompson as probable with a right adductor contusion. Meanwhile, Flagg did not appear on the injury report after recently returning from a left medial sprain that kept him out of action for nearly a month.
The 19-year-old rookie returned to action in a 115-114 loss to the Orlando Magic on Thursday night in Dallas. Flagg finished with 18 points, six assists, five rebounds, four blocks and one steal, while shooting 7-of-22 from the field and 1-for-4 from three-point range in 26 minutes.
Flagg has emerged as one of the Mavericks' key contributors during his rookie campaign. In 50 games this season, the forward is averaging 20.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals per contest, while shooting 47.8% from the field and 30.1% from three-point range in 33.9 minutes per game.
Thompson also had a strong performance in Thursday's close loss, leading Dallas with 24 points. The 36-year-old finished with four rebounds, one assist and one steal while hitting 7 of 12 attempts from beyond the arc in 26 minutes.
Now in his second season with Dallas, Thompson is averaging 11.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 55 games, including eight starts. The veteran guard is shooting 39.1% from the field and 38.4% from three-point range while playing 22 minutes per game.
Mavericks' injury report shows multiple absences ahead of Celtics matchup
The Mavericks enter Friday's contest with a 21-41 record as they continue to navigate a roster plagued by multiple injuries.
Dallas' full injury report includes several key players:
- Marvin Bagley III – Questionable (neck sprain)
- Moussa Cisse – Questionable (G League Two-Way)
- Daniel Gafford – questionable (right ankle injury management)
- Kyrie Irving - Out (left knee surgery)
- Derek Lively II – out (right foot surgery)
- John Poulakidas – Questionable (G League Two-Way)
- Tyler Smith - Questionable (G League Two-Way)
- Klay Thompson – probable (right adductor fusion)
- Brandon Williams - probable (left quad contusion)
Dallas will face a Celtics team that enters the matchup at 41-21, the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Boston will be a big boost with star forward Jayson Tatum returning from an Achilles injury suffered during last year's postseason.
Friday's game marks the beginning of a challenging stretch for the Mavericks as they look to stabilize their rotation while dealing with several injuries.
Tipoff between the Mavericks and Celtics is scheduled for 7:00 pm ET at TD Garden, with the game being televised nationally on ESPN.
