Cooper Flagg Scores 32 in the Opener, Then Sprains His Left Shoulder

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg has a mild left shoulder sprain, the team announced on October 24, 2026 after an MRI, per ESPN, and he will be reevaluated next week. He was hurt at Indiana on October 23, two nights after scoring 32 points in the season opener. He missed the October 24 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. His base 2025 Topps Chrome rookie in PSA 10 has sold near $300 at Fanatics Collect for months, and it has not sold there since the opener.

His Opening Week

October 21, at Houston

• 32 points on 10-of-17 shooting and 11-of-13 free throws, with 5 rebounds and 3 steals in 33 minutes, per ESPN's box score. The Rockets won 128-110

The record

• Flagg's 32 was the most points ever by a teenager in a season opener, per ESPN and the Mavericks' PR team as cited by the Dallas Sports Journal. The Journal said the previous high appears to be Lamar Odom's 30 in his 1999 debut with the Clippers. Flagg turns 20 on December 21, 2026

October 23, at Indiana

• Dallas won 121-105, its first win under coach Dusty May. Flagg hurt his left shoulder when Aaron Nesmith fouled him on a breakaway, a play ruled a flagrant foul, and did not play in the second half, per AP

October 24, vs. San Antonio

• Out with a mild left shoulder sprain found by an MRI that morning, per ESPN. The Spurs won 122-106 and Dallas fell to 1-2, per AP

After the opener

• "I could have done a better job of getting us set up and being vocal and being a leader," Flagg said of the second quarter after the October 21 loss, per the Dallas Sports Journal

What His Cards Have Done

The base rookie

• The 2025 Topps Chrome Cooper Flagg #251 in PSA 10 averaged $294 across 11 sales in October through October 19, after $290 in September and $312 in August, per Fanatics Collect's sold records. Its last sale before the opener was $300 on October 19. There was no PSA 10 sale of it there between the opener and October 24

The top end

• His $8.04 million Rookie Debut Patch 1/1 from September 25, 2026 is still his only paid seven-figure sale at Fanatics Collect. A Motif Logoman redemption closed at $2,160,000 in the October Premier Auction and was still marked unpaid on October 25, 2026

What It Means for Collectors

A steady card before a busy week. The opener, the record and the injury all landed between October 21 and 23, and the base Chrome PSA 10 has not sold on Fanatics Collect since the opener, as of October 25, 2026. Its October 1 to 19 average of $294 is still the latest read.

Our take: the reevaluation is the date to watch. ESPN and AP both put it next week. Dallas plays at Miami on October 26, and the team's update gave a reevaluation next week, not a return date. For the biggest basketball card sales on record, see our list of the most expensive basketball cards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cooper Flagg injured?

Yes. The Mavericks announced a mild left shoulder sprain on October 24, 2026 after an MRI. He was hurt at Indiana on October 23, missed the October 24 game against the Spurs and will be reevaluated next week, per ESPN and AP.

How much is a Cooper Flagg Topps Chrome rookie PSA 10 worth?

The 2025 Topps Chrome #251 in PSA 10 averaged $294 across 11 paid sales at Fanatics Collect from October 1 to 19, 2026. The last one before the opener sold for $300 on October 19.

What is Cooper Flagg's most expensive card?

His 2025 Topps Chrome Update Rookie Debut Patch autograph 1/1, which sold for $8.04 million at Fanatics Collect on September 25, 2026.

Where to Go From Here

Rookie cards follow every big night and every injury report. If you want to collect real, vaulted cards, the Polkastarter marketplace gives you a free mystery pack when you sign up, and every Lootbox lists its contents, values, and chances before you open.

Details checked October 25, 2026. Prices are past results from Fanatics Collect's sold records. Auction prices include buyer's premium, Buy Now prices are the listed price. Nothing here is financial advice. Polkastarter is not affiliated with the NBA, the Dallas Mavericks, Topps, Fanatics Collect, PSA, Cooper Flagg or the other companies named.

Sources

• ESPN: Rockets 128, Mavericks 110, box score, game played October 21, 2026, accessed October 25, 2026
• ESPN / AP: Mavericks 121, Pacers 105, recap, game played October 23, 2026, accessed October 25, 2026
• ESPN / AP: Spurs 122, Mavericks 106, recap, game played October 24, 2026, accessed October 25, 2026
• ESPN: Mavericks' Cooper Flagg out for home opener with mild left shoulder sprain, published October 24, 2026, accessed October 25, 2026
• Dallas Sports Journal: Cooper Flagg sets NBA record for most points by a teenager in a season opener, published October 22, 2026, accessed October 25, 2026
• Fanatics Collect: sold items records, 2025 Topps Chrome Cooper Flagg #251 PSA 10, checked October 25, 2026, accessed October 25, 2026