Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks fell 137-131 in overtime to the Golden State Warriors on Monday at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. But it wasn’t the Mavs’ loss — or the Warriors’ win — that became the headline of the contest.
Late in overtime, Moses Moody stole the ball from Flagg and rushed down the court for what was supposed to be a wide-open throwdown. However, Moody’s left knee appeared to give out just as he was about to get up. He lost the ball and collapsed to the floor, grimacing in pain.
Flagg didn’t seem to realize the severity of Moody’s injury at first, with the Mavericks rookie recovering the ball for a counter-attack. Play was halted several seconds later, as Warriors players and staff gathered around Moody under Dallas’ basket.
After the game, Flagg told reporters that he “couldn’t really tell” initially what had happened to Moody, via Abby Jones of DLLS Sports.
“His leg kinda gave out. But it’s tough. I’m praying for him, and whatever he’s gonna go through, it’s terrible. But yeah, just praying for him,” added Flagg, who finished the game with 32 points on 12/19 shooting with 9 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 steals in 42 minutes.
It’s an apt reaction from Flagg, who may have been reminded how quickly an NBA career can be derailed by injury. Moody was having a big night for the Warriors, scoring 23 points against the Mavericks, before that awful moment.
The full extent of Moody’s injury has yet to be determined, but he is likely done for the rest of the 2025-26 season, with the Warriors hoping for the best possible test results.
