The Dallas Mavericks will be without the current Rookie of the Year favourite through at least the All-Star break.
Cooper Flagg underwent an MRI that revealed a left midfoot sprain, the Mavericks announced Wednesday. Flagg will miss Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA Rising Stars Game on Friday.
Flagg sustained the injury against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday but still had 27 points in 35 minutes in that game.
After a somewhat slow start to the season, Flagg has taken off, now averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists over 49 games. The 19-year-old has averaged 23.3 points per game over his last 30 contests.
Selected first overall in the NBA Draft after a one-and-done college career, Flagg and former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel of the Hornets are widely considered the front-runners for rookie of the year.
Yet the Mavericks have struggled to a 19-34 record, good for 12th in the Western Conference, and traded oft-injured star centre Anthony Davis — who was acquired last season for Luka Doncic — at the trade deadline.
Flagg was set to lead Team Melo in the Rising Stars Game at All-Star Weekend, which is coached by Carmelo Anthony and also includes Toronto Raptors rookie Collin Murray-Boyles.
