One game removed from making NBA rookie history, Cooper Flagg may be asked to engage in more heroics on Thursday night.
The Dallas Mavericks host the East-leading Detroit Pistons on Thursday, in Flagg's first game since he became the first 18-year-old to score 40 points in an NBA game.
Flagg accomplished the incredible feat in a 140-133 overtime loss to the Utah Jazz, which dropped the Mavs' record to 10-17. With the 21-5 Pistons coming to town, Flagg will face an immense challenge against the league's second-ranked defense.
The possibly-outsized role Flagg will take on against the Pistons could be informed by the Mavericks' lengthy injury report.
Anthony Davis (calf), D'Angelo Russell (illness) and Brandon Williams (Achilles soreness) are all listed as questionable for the game. Dante Exum and Dereck Lively II are out with season-ending injuries, while Kyrie Irving is still working his way back from an ACL tear.
Flagg ranks second in rookie scoring at 18.4 points per game. The top pick from June's draft has scored at least 22 points in five of his past seven games.
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