INDIANAPOLIS – As the Pacers were being blown out in their home opener against the Dallas Mavericks, tensions boiled over to end the first half.
Mavs forward Cooper Flagg had a breakaway bucket that would've extended the Mavericks' lead to 35 points when Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith smacked Flagg from behind while he was in the air. Flagg stayed down on the baseline for an extended period, while multiple Mavericks players confronted Nesmith.
Aaron Nesmith fouls Cooper Flagg hard and Flagg is now injured pic.twitter.com/udUBt86lgN
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 24, 2026
Nesmith, who is playing his first game of the year after missing the opener Wednesday, was given a Flagrant 1 foul and a technical foul. Mavericks forward Naji Marshall was also given a technical foul.
Flagg made both free throws, then proceeded to walk back to the locker room holding his left shoulder. Flagg had 14 points, five rebounds and six assists in the half, and the Mavericks led 77-43.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Watch Pacers Aaron Nesmith commit flagrant foul, send Cooper Flagg to locker room