Wemby's Spurs at Mavs: Are Cooper Flagg & Kyrie Irving Out for Home Opener?

With the San Antonio Spurs opening the season with back-to-back losses, they figure to be inspired to get their first win on Saturday against the Mavs in Dallas' home-opener.

And the odds - the Spurs are favored by 13 points - say they should have an easy time of it.

One major factor?

The Spurs may be going up against a shorthanded Mavericks team that defeated the Pacers on Friday but won't have young star Cooper Flagg available due to a shoulder injury sustained in Indy.

Mavs coach Dusty May said on Friday that the Flagg injury would be evaluated "in the next couple of days," so it's believed that he will not be able to play in this second game of a back-to-back.

But now we know he's undergone an MRI that's revealed a 
"mild'' left shoulder sprain. He's out and will be reevaluated next week.

We also wonder if there might be some minutes limitations on Kyrie Irving, 34, as he is continuing his return to the floor after missing all of last year after knee surgery. ... and indeed, Marc Stein is reporting that Irving mighr be listed as "questionable'' for this game.

As it happens, the nine-time All-Star Irving averages over 22 points and five assists against the Spurs in his career, and once scored 57 points against them. 

So yeah, he'd be a big help here if he can carry a full load.

The Spurs would've still be thought of by some as the favorites to win this Texas showdown, even if Flagg wasn't injured, regardless of the defending Western Conference's champion's slow start.

A major reason for that thinking? The presence of MVP candidate Victor Wembanyama, who is off to a poor shooting start this season ... which might simply mean he's due to go off.

WHO: San Antonio Spurs (0-2) at Dallas Mavericks (1-1)

WHEN: October 24, 2026 | 7 p.m. CT

WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas

Spurs Injuries: Tobias Harris, calf (OUT), Jayden Quaintance, (OUT).

Mavericks Injuries: Santi Aldama (knee) OUT, Tarik Biberović (foot) OUT, Dereck Lively II (foot) OUT, Caleb Martin (thumb), Cooper Flagg (shoulder) OUT.

ODDS: Spurs by 13 points.