Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg has been cleared to return after missing eight games with a left midfoot sprain, sources told ESPN. The No. 1 overall pick intends to play Thursday night against the Orlando Magic and is officially listed as questionable. The Mavericks haven't ruled out playing him in both ends of a back-to-back, with Friday's game in Boston against the Celtics, Flagg's childhood favorite team.

Flagg injured his foot during a Feb. 10 loss to the Phoenix Suns, forcing him to miss the Rising Stars game during All-Star Weekend. The 19-year-old has put up impressive numbers in his absence, averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 49 games this season. His production places him in elite company alongside Luka Doncic, Michael Jordan and Larry Bird as the only rookies since the ABA-NBA merger to average at least 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.

However, Flagg has fallen behind his Duke roommate Kon Knueppel in the Rookie of the Year race. Knueppel has played a major role in the surging Charlotte Hornets' midseason turnaround, averaging 19.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shattering the rookie record for made 3-pointers at 43.6% shooting from long range.