The Dallas Mavericks will have rookie forward Cooper Flagg back in the lineup Thursday night as they prepare to face the Charlotte Hornets, ending his one-game absence due to left ankle injury management. “Cooper Flagg will make his return to the Mavericks' lineup tonight against Charlotte to face off with his former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel, league sources say. Flagg was held out of Dallas' loss Wednesday night to Minnesota due to left ankle injury management.”#24 is headed to the rafters in Dallas! The Mavericks will honor Mark Aguirre for his jersey retirement ceremony tonight at halftime of Hornets/Mavs at 8:30pm/et on NBA League Pass. pic.twitter.com/FgoJT8jky4 — NBA (@NBA) January 29, 2026Article Continues BelowCooper Flagg rejoins Mavericks lineup vs. HornetsFlagg did not play in Wednesday’s 118-105 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, as Dallas opted for caution on the second night of a back-to-back.