Is Cooper Flagg playing tonight vs the New Orleans Pelicans? Latest update on the Dallas Mavericks star's injury report (March 16, 2026)

Cooper Flagg will play for the Dallas Mavericks against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 16, 2026. The rookie forward does not appear on Dallas’ injury report.The No. 1 overall pick has been one of the few steady performers for Dallas this season. The Mavericks hold a 23-45 record, but Flagg has produced consistently. The 19-year-old is averaging 20.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game.Cooper Flagg scored 25 points with four rebounds and five assists in Dallas’ 130-120 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 15. He also scored 27 points against Cleveland in another recent meeting.Earlier this season, Flagg missed eight games with a left midfoot sprain. He returned to the lineup in early March. Since then, he scored 16 points against the Boston Celtics and had 18 points in his first game back against the Orlando Magic.Flagg has also performed well against New Orleans this season. In three games against the Pelicans, he has averaged 21.7 points. Dallas is expected to give him a large role again at the Smoothie King Center.Dallas Mavericks still have several players unavailable.Players such as P.J. Washington, Max Christie, and Naji Marshall are available. Washington averages 15.2 points per game, while Christie averages 11.8.The New Orleans Pelicans are also dealing with injuries.New Orleans still has key players active. Trey Murphy III leads the team with 21.9 points per game, and Derik Queen is another young forward in the rotation.Both teams enter the game near the bottom of the Southwest Division standings. Dallas is coming off a win, while New Orleans is trying to stop a losing stretch.The game begins at 8 p.m. ET. Dallas will again rely on Flagg as a primary scoring option against New Orleans.