Tomorrow, the Los Angeles Lakers will face a critical NBA Cup matchup, and one question has dominated the conversation: Will Deandre Ayton play? The LA big man has already missed time, missing the team’s last game against the LA Clippers,

But it'll also be the first matchup between the Lakers and Mavs since Dallas fired Nico Harrison as the general manager about two weeks ago, who was the orchestrator of the infamous Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade. Star rookie Cooper Flagg about Friday's game against the Lakers, and he says it's just another game, as he should.

Lakers big man Deandre Ayton appeared on the team’s injury report ahead of their NBA Cup game against the Mavericks.

Meanwhile, three Mavericks players are ruled out of the Lakers game. Dereck Lively II will miss his third consecutive game with a right foot injury. Kyrie Irving (left knee injury) and Dante Exum (right knee injury) remain sidelined.

Bill Simmons' recent Mavericks-Bulls-Warriors trade proposal benefits rookie Cooper Flagg in a pivotal manner.

The Dallas Mavericks have been hit with an unexpected lineup change. Young center Dereck Lively II will be sidelined for at least the next three games due to swelling and discomfort in his right foot.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/mavericks/onsi as Cooper Flagg shares tough feelings with Mavericks' early season struggles. Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is getting adjusted to the NBA, but he isn't off to the start he had hoped.