Cooper Flagg vs. Kon Knueppel: The Rookie of the Year Race Heats Up in Dallas
DALLAS - When Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel took the floor Thursday night, it wasn’t just another regular-season matchup between the Mavericks and Hornets - it was a showcase of two of the NBA’s brightest young stars, both firmly in the thick of the Rookie of the Year conversation. And if the first half was any indication, this race is far from over.
Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, came out firing. The Dallas forward dropped a career-high 25 points in the first half alone, putting on a scoring clinic that had the home crowd buzzing. Whether it was attacking the rim, pulling up in transition, or creating off the dribble, Flagg looked every bit the top pick - confident, composed, and completely in rhythm.
But Knueppel wasn’t about to let his former Duke teammate steal the entire spotlight. The Hornets rookie matched Flagg punch-for-punch early, putting up 19 points of his own in the opening half. His shooting stroke was smooth, his decision-making sharp, and he continued to show why Charlotte’s decision to take him at No. 4 - higher than many expected - is looking smarter by the day.
At halftime, Charlotte held a narrow 59-58 lead, thanks in large part to the offensive fireworks from both rookies. It was the kind of half that reminded you why this rookie class was so hyped to begin with - and why these two in particular are being talked about as potential franchise cornerstones.
Flagg has been putting together a strong case all season. Coming into Thursday’s game, he was averaging 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, shooting an efficient 47.3% from the field. For a rookie adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NBA, those are impressive numbers - and they speak to a player who’s already figuring out how to impact the game in multiple ways.
Knueppel, meanwhile, has been one of the season’s biggest revelations. His selection at No. 4 raised some eyebrows on draft night, but it’s safe to say the Hornets saw something others didn’t.
He entered the night averaging 18.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, while shooting a blistering 48.3% from the floor and 42.1% from deep. That kind of efficiency from a rookie wing is rare - and it’s a big reason why Charlotte is feeling optimistic about its future.
Both players are set to lead their respective squads during NBA All-Star Weekend’s Rising Stars event, a well-earned spotlight for two rookies who haven’t just met expectations - they’ve exceeded them.
As for the Rookie of the Year race? It’s shaping up to be a thrilling finish.
Flagg’s explosive first half against Knueppel and the Hornets adds another highlight to his growing résumé, but this is far from a one-man race. With both players delivering night in and night out - and doing it in different, dynamic ways - the award could come down to the wire.
One thing’s clear: the future of the league is in good hands. And Thursday night in Dallas gave us a front-row seat to what that future looks like.