A hard foul on Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg touched off a bench-clearing scuffle during the Indiana Pacers’ home opener, an otherwise celebratory night that also marked Tyrese Haliburton’s first home game since tearing his Achilles in Game 7 of last year’s NBA Finals.
The Mavericks were pulling away from the Pacers late in the first half when Indiana wing Aaron Nesmith fouled Flagg hard on a dunk attempt. Flagg left the court holding his shoulder and headed to the locker room before halftime. Nesmith was assessed a flagrant foul and a double technical foul for his role in the altercation that followed. Mavericks wing Naji Marshall, who came to his teammate’s defense, also picked up a double technical.
Flagg did not return to the game. Mavericks head coach Dusty May said the rookie would be evaluated over the next couple of days.
Dallas held on to win 121-105, improving to 1-1 on the season while dropping Indiana to the same record. Flagg finished with 14 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals in just 17 minutes before exiting. He had opened the season with 32 points in 33 minutes in a game in Houston.
The Mavericks head home to Dallas for the second game of a back-to-back on Saturday against the defending Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs. The Pacers travel to Brooklyn to face the Nets on Sunday.
