Mavericks gift Cooper Flagg the unexpected break he desperately needed

Young Cooper Flagg has arrived. And so has some much-needed rest. The Dallas Mavericks inadvertently gifted Flagg a much-needed break by missing the NBA Cup Knockout Rounds. And in turn, provided the future of the franchise with time to rest his injured thumb. Some gifts don't come from under a Christmas tree.

Flagg sprained his right thumb in early November on a dunk attempt against the Washington Wizards, but he hasn’t let that stop his upward momentum throughout the season. The early Rookie of the Year candidate is posting stellar averages of 17.3 points and 3.3 assists per game, while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 82.2 percent from the charity stripe. Sometimes it's easy to forget that he’s still just 18 years of age. What injured thumb?

Flagg has refused to play tentatively and continues to attack the basket and pick his spots with the maturity of a seasoned pro. And he’s already looking like one of the best two-way players with his athleticism and his ability to guard multiple positions.

His 7-foot wingspan has made him an increasingly effective defender from six feet (close range). You can’t teach that. So the last thing Dallas wants is for Flagg to favor his thumb when he needs it the most. Plus, Anthony Davis is rounding into form, and fellow rookie Ryan Nembhard is looking like Dallas’ point guard of the future.

Why five days of unexpected rest could be huge for Cooper Flagg

But the NBA season is an 82-game grind.

Especially for a rookie, and the Mavericks want to keep Flagg and his thumb as healthy as possible as they try to make a run for a play-in spot in a tough Western Conference.

It’s feasible. The Mavericks have shown that by winning four out of their last five games and beating the Denver Nuggets and the Houston Rockets during their winning streak. If they can sneak through the back door of the playoffs, anybody is fair game. But Flagg’s versatility will be a major factor, and his improved play has coincided with the Mavericks' recent reversal of fortunes. 

After last Saturday’s win against Kevin Durant and the Rockets, Dallas doesn’t play again until this Friday night against a very beatable Brooklyn Nets team. This gives Flagg five days to rest and recuperate. And you can bet that the Mavericks have their training staff giving the young prodigy around-the-clock treatment on the most important thumb in Dallas. Luckily, young players like Flagg have a knack for healing from soft tissue injuries like these quite quickly. Oh, to be young again.

The Mavericks hope that with an improved thumb also comes improved 3-point shooting from Flagg. Flagg is shooting just 25.3 percent from downtown, but he’s negated that with his ability to get downhill and finish with either hand at the rim. He’s also been displaying a reliable mid-range jumper, which has reaped immediate dividends during the Mavericks' current hot streak.

Flagg has shown a high basketball IQ  by shooting fewer threes with an emphasis on getting below the foul line and into the paint, where he can do the most damage.

After three straight games of 20-plus points, Flagg has tapered off and scored under 20 points in his last two outings. It could be an aberration, or maybe he’s favoring his thumb just a little bit? So, missing the NBA Cup and getting those extra days off could be a blessing in disguise.

Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw said, “Youth is wasted on the young.” But the Mavericks are confident Cooper Flagg is an exception to the rule. That's a thumbs up in my book.