Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg (ankle) listed as doubtful vs. Jazz

DALLAS — Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is regarded as doubtful for the home matchup against the Utah Jazz on Thursday night due to a left ankle sprain.

This season, the only game Flagg, the first overall pick, was unable to play was due to illness during the Nov. 19 defeat against the New York Knicks.

Flagg sustained the injury in the second quarter of Wednesday’s game against the Denver Nuggets.

The injury occurred as Flagg defended Denver’s Peyton Watson during a drive with 6:01 left in the second quarter.

After being called for a foul, he limped off the court, with Mavs athletic trainer Jana Austin closely following him. He did return to the game with 2:35 remaining in the quarter but appeared to be in discomfort several times while on the court.

Flagg did not come back after halftime. The team announced early in the third quarter that Flagg, who is the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, averaging 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, would not return for the rest of the game.

This marks the second consecutive game that Flagg has twisted that ankle. He had previously played in Monday’s victory over the Brooklyn Nets after getting the ankle re-taped.