Cooper Flagg Drops 49 in Historic Night, But Hornets Edge Mavericks in Rookie Duel
DALLAS - The Dallas Mavericks raised a legend into the rafters Wednesday night, but it was a pair of rookies-two former Duke teammates-who stole the show on the court.
Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks’ No. 1 overall pick, delivered a performance that will be etched into franchise history, pouring in 49 points-the most ever by a Dallas rookie. But despite Flagg’s offensive explosion, it was Kon Knueppel and the Charlotte Hornets who walked out of the American Airlines Center with a 123-121 win, thanks to a pair of clutch free throws with just 4.1 seconds left.
It was the first NBA meeting between Flagg and Knueppel, who were Duke’s top scorers last season during a 35-4 campaign that ended in the Final Four. And if this was a preview of future battles between the two, buckle up-because they delivered a thriller.
Flagg Makes Mavericks History
Flagg’s 49 points broke the Mavericks’ rookie scoring record, a mark he had already tied earlier this season when he dropped 42 against the Jazz. That previous record?
Held by none other than Mark Aguirre, whose No. 24 jersey was retired at halftime in a 42-minute ceremony. Talk about poetic timing.
The 19-year-old Flagg came out firing and never let up. He had 25 points by halftime and kept the pressure on in the second half, including a tough, left-handed finish with 4:10 left in the game that gave him 44 points on the night.
He nearly added a game-winning assist to his resume, too. With under 10 seconds to go and the score tied, Flagg tried to thread a pass through traffic.
But Knueppel got a hand on it, disrupting the play. Sion James-another former Duke teammate-chased down the loose ball, kept it inbounds, and got it to Knueppel, who was fouled by Flagg on the fast break.
Knueppel calmly sank both free throws. Flagg had one last chance, but his leaning jumper at the buzzer came up short.
Knueppel’s Clutch Performance
While Flagg grabbed headlines with his record-setting night, Knueppel was every bit the competitor, finishing with a career-high 34 points. He was lethal from deep, knocking down eight threes-just one shy of the NBA rookie record of nine.
The Hornets as a team were dialed in from long range, hitting 20 threes to the Mavericks’ 11. That perimeter advantage proved to be the difference in a game that was tight from start to finish.
Knueppel, taken three spots behind Flagg at No. 4 overall, is building a strong Rookie of the Year case of his own. He’s now led Charlotte to five straight wins and continues to show poise beyond his 20 years.
A Night of Legacy and the Future
The night belonged to Mark Aguirre in many ways. The Mavericks’ first-ever No. 1 pick, a franchise cornerstone in the ‘80s, finally got his jersey retired. But as one chapter was honored, a new one took center stage.
Flagg, now the holder of the Mavericks’ rookie scoring record, is showing why Dallas made him the top pick. He’s not just putting up numbers-he’s doing it with confidence, skill, and a sense of the moment.
Knueppel, meanwhile, is proving he belongs in the same conversation. The former Blue Devils turned NBA rivals are already pushing each other to new heights, and fans on both sides have plenty to be excited about.
If this game was any indication, the Flagg-Knueppel rivalry could be one of the defining storylines of this rookie class-and maybe even the next decade.