Cooper Flagg leaves Mavs' win over Pacers with left shoulder soreness after taking hard foul from Aaron Nesmith

Mavericks star Cooper Flagg left Dallas' 121-105 win over the Indiana Pacers in the second quarter Friday and did not return because of "left shoulder soreness."

Flagg went down after a hard foul from Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith, who appeared to hit Flagg in the back of the head and caused the Mavericks forward to land awkwardly.

The incident sparked a heated argument between Nesmith and Mavericks forward Naji Marshall, with Nesmith having to be separated from the group.

Nesmith was called for a flagrant foul after the contact, while both Nesmith and Marshall were given technical fouls for the incident.

Aaron Nesmith was called for a Flagrant 1 for this play on Cooper Flagg.

Double technicals were given to Nesmith and Naji Marshall after the play. pic.twitter.com/P0xLooKo9S

— ESPN (@espn) October 24, 2026

Flagg hit both of his free throws awarded after Nesmith's flagrant, which occurred in the final minute of the half. He was subbed out afterward and headed into the locker room before halftime, grabbing at his left shoulder.

Cooper Flagg has been holding his left shoulder often since the flagrant foul on his dunk attempt. He went to the Mavs locker room before halftime. pic.twitter.com/2B7mY2Rj5U

— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) October 24, 2026

At the time he left, Flagg had racked up 14 points for the Mavericks in 17 minutes of play.

The Mavericks went on to get the 16-point victory over the Pacers behind 24 points from Kyrie Irving. Dallas led by as many as 37 points in the win.