NBA Notes: Mavericks, Cooper Flagg, Knicks, Josh Hart, Serge Ibaka

Mavericks

Cooper Flagg is learning on the fly, and the Mavericks are letting him.

Grant Afseth of the Dallas Hoops Journal wrote that Flagg’s rookie year has been about steady progress and realistic expectations. He is 6-foot-9. He is playing point guard on a team that expects to win. Those two things rarely overlap.

Flagg hasn’t been thrilled with his own efficiency. But he isn’t rattled.

“It’s a tough league. It’s a transition,” Flagg said. “I haven’t made a lot of shots or been as efficient as I would’ve wanted to, but I’m gonna just keep trusting the work. I’m not worried about anything.”

The organization is aligned with that view.

“Cooper’s not the kind of player who gets rattled,” a Mavs staffer told Afseth. “He wants to understand why something didn’t work, then fix it. That’s rare for someone his age.”

Tim MacMahon of ESPN added that Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis are serving as guides — offering the veteran perspective that comes with being former No. 1 picks.

Flagg mirrors their post-practice work. Irving said the key is keeping the game from becoming too big.

Knicks

Josh Hart revealed he is dealing with nerve damage in his shooting hand, per Fred Katz and James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.

It is more than just a finger issue. Hart said he sometimes loses feeling in his middle and pinky fingers. He does not plan to have surgery.

“It’ll probably be a process until I get full feeling back,” he said.

Hart has been slow out of the gate with a reduced role. He went from 35.5 minutes last season down to 22.3 per game entering Sunday. He said he is fine not starting — he just wants clarity.

“I want more of a consistent role so that I can affect that role,” Hart said.

Free Agency

Serge Ibaka teased a possible NBA return, posting a gym photo from the University of Miami with the caption “@nba Comeback.”

Ibaka last played in the league with the Bucks in 2022-23. He has spent the last two years overseas with Bayern München and Real Madrid.

The 36-year-old was a three-time blocks champ and a major piece of Toronto’s 2019 title team. Time will tell if he’s missing the league enough to give it another try.