Mosfet driving motor, is a protection diode needed

[mribble]

I remember reading that sometimes when driving a motor with a mosfet the diode you typically place across the motor to prevent voltage spikes isn't needed.  Can someone point me to an article or explain to me how to figure out if a diode is needed?

In my example I'm using a motor with a stall current of 500 mA and will be using this mosfet: https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/196/irlml6244pbf-1228275.pdf

Thanks!

[Zero999]

The only time a protection diode is not needed, is when the motor is brushless and has its own built-in driver circuit, such as a computer fan.

In this case, we don't know what sort of motor you have. Assuming it's a brushed DC motor, then a reverse protection diode is required.

[mribble]

I did some looking and it seems the avalanche current can sometimes be used instead of a flyback diode, but people generally recommend against doing it this way.  Also there are some extra tricks that happen for h bridge controllers, but that doesn't affect me.

I have been convinced I'll add the diode.  Thanks!