Cooper Flagg left the Mavericks’ loss to the Nuggets with a sprained ankle

Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg left the team’s loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday with a sprained left ankle.

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said Flagg initially hurt his left foot during Monday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets, then landed on it awkwardly with 6:01 remaining in the second quarter against the Nuggets. Flagg gripped his ankle for a few moments as he grimaced in pain.

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Flagg returned later in the second quarter but was clearly struggling with the injury. He did not play in the second half and did not return to the bench.

“He stepped on someone’s foot and then I think in the last game he twisted his ankle as well,” Kidd told reporters after the game. “So they decided to keep him for the second half.”

Mavericks center Daniel Gafford also left with an ankle injury. The Nuggets beat the Mavs 118-109.

Flagg lived up to his status as the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, averaging 19.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists. Despite the Mavericks’ struggles, he is the favorite to win this season’s Rookie of the Year award.