Kamal Ghorui
The Dallas Mavericks will be without rookie Cooper Flagg when they face the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at Crypto.com Arena. The team confirmed that Flagg has a left midfoot sprain and will not play in the final game before the 2026 NBA All-Star break.Flagg left Tuesday’s game in Phoenix early, which led to further testing. An MRI later revealed the sprain, and Dallas quickly ruled him out rather than risk making the injury worse.
Cooper Flagg injury status vs Los Angeles Lakers (February 12, 2026)
Dallas Mavericks announced on Feb. 12 that Cooper Flagg will miss both the road game against the Lakers and the Castrol Rising Stars event during All-Star Weekend. The move keeps him off the court through the break as the team focuses on recovery.The Mavericks are targeting a return when the regular season resumes around Feb. 20. He is currently listed as out, not day-to-day, so there was never a real expectation that he would play against Los Angeles.
What Flagg’s absence means for Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks enter the matchup with a 19-34 record and is just outside the play-in race. The team has also lost eight straight games.Flagg has been their most productive player this season, averaging over 20 points along with more than six rebounds and four assists per game. At 19, he has taken on a leading role and is widely seen as the early favorite for Rookie of the Year.With Flagg unavailable, head coach Jason Kidd will rely more on Kyrie Irving to run the offense. Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, and Naji Marshall are expected to take on larger scoring roles, while younger guards Miles Kelly and Ryan Nembhard could see more minutes.Dallas is listed as a road underdog, and Flagg’s absence is a major reason for the betting line.
Lakers injury report (Feb. 12, 2026)
| Player | Status | Injury |
| Luka Dončić | Out | Hamstring issue; expected sidelined at least through Feb. 15 |
| Deandre Ayton | Out | Knee problem; projected absence until around Feb. 20 |
The Lakers are otherwise healthy. LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, Drew Timme, and Jarred Vanderbilt are all expected to play, giving Los Angeles most of its regular rotation.
How the injuries shape the game
Both teams will be missing key players. Dallas loses its main ball handler and one of its best defenders, while the Lakers will be without an important playmaker.The Mavericks are likely to lean on Irving in pick-and-roll situations and depend on outside shooting from Thompson and Khris Middleton. The Lakers should look to attack inside with LeBron and Timme and push the pace when chances appear.Also read: Is Luka Doncic playing tonight vs the Dallas Mavericks? Latest update on the Los Angeles Lakers star’s injury report (February 12, 2026)The focus now shifts to how Dallas handles the game without its top rookie and whether the Lakers can use the home matchup to build momentum before the All-Star break.
