Mavs' Flagg cleared return after missing 8 games

Dallas Mavericks rookie star Cooper Flagg was cleared to return after missing the past eight games because of a left midfoot sprain, the team announced Thursday.

Flagg will play in Thursday night's road game against the Orlando Magic.

The Mavs have not ruled out Flagg playing in both ends of the back-to-back set, with the second game in Boston on Friday night. Flagg has said he rooted for the Celtics while growing up in Newport, Maine.

Flagg injured his foot in a Feb. 10 loss to the Phoenix Suns, forcing the No. 1 pick to miss the Rising Stars game during All-Star Weekend.

Flagg, 19, has averaged 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 49 games. The only other rookies to average at least 20 points, six rebounds and four assists since the ABA-NBA merger are Luka Doncic, Michael Jordan and Larry Bird.

However, Flagg has been surpassed by former Duke roommate Kon Knueppel as the betting favorite for Rookie of the Year. Knueppel has played a major role in the surging Charlotte Hornets' midseason turnaround, averaging 19.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shattering the rookie record for made 3s while shooting 43.6% from long range.