Cooper

Flagg

After failing to crack the 20-point threshold in any of his prior five appearances, Flagg did so on Friday. The rookie recorded 25 points on good percentages, and category league managers will be pleased with the five assists as well. Dallas plays once more in Week 20, a Sunday rematch with the Cavaliers in Cleveland.

Flagg was held under 20 points for the fifth straight game on Thursday, shooting below 40.0 percent from the field for a second consecutive time. The rookie forward has remained in a shooting slump since returning in early March from a foot sprain. He did, however, notch at least five rebounds and assists for the fifth time in as many games. But while his well-roundedness has provided a solid floor, fantasy managers hope he can find his touch and deliver some efficient, high-scoring performances.

Flagg’s rough shooting stretch continued in this game. Over his four games since returning from an eight-game absence with a midfoot sprain, Flagg has shot 34.6 percent from the floor., though he has made up for it by averaging 16.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.8 blocks per game. He didn’t contribute any defensive stats in this one, but he did record a double-double and match his career high for rebounds. He’ll look to figure things out offensively in Memphis on Thursday.

Interestingly, Flagg has made seven field goals in each of the three games he’s played since returning from a left midfoot sprain. Sunday’s game was the second straight in which he’s played 30 minutes, and the rookie recorded a complete stat line that included five defensive contributions. The Mavericks play four games in Week 20, starting with the Hawks on Tuesday.

Flagg was initially listed as questionable with a foot injury and it came down to a game-time decision, but the rookie is available for Sunday’s game against the Raptors. He’s coming off a 16-point performance in Friday’s loss to the Celtics.

Flagg played both games of Dallas’s recent back-to-back, logging 30 minutes in Friday’s loss to the Celtics. If the rookie can’t play on Sunday, Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin and Brandon Williams are potential replacements in the starting lineup.

A native of Newport, Maine, Boston will be the closest to his hometown that Flagg gets to play. While Jayson Tatum’s return to the Celtics was the biggest headline, many made the trip south to watch their native son play. Flagg didn’t have a good night shooting the basketball, but fantasy managers did receive good production in the rebound and assist categories. Dallas plays one more game in Week 19, visiting the Raptors on Sunday.

Flagg made his return to the Mavericks’ lineup after missing eight games with a left midfoot sprain, with the 26 minutes being one more than his stated limit. The rookie shot 6-of-17 from two, which hurt his field-goal percentage, but he did record a complete stat line. Before the game, it was reported that Flagg could play more on Friday in Boston if everything checks out health-wise. The fact that he’s playing the second game of a back-to-back this soon is great news for fantasy managers.

Flagg is back in the Mavericks’ lineup after an eight-game absence. Due to the rookie’s return, Brandon Williams has been pushed back to the bench.

Flagg has missed Dallas’ last eight games with a left midfoot sprain. The rookie will be limited to 20-25 minutes on Thursday. And if everything goes well for Flagg, he may be allowed to take on more minutes in Friday’s game against the Celtics. His return will likely push Khris Middleton or Brandon Williams out of the starting lineup.