Cooper Flagg Shines, But Mavericks Fall Just Short in Thriller vs. Hornets
DALLAS - Cooper Flagg gave fans a glimpse of the future on Thursday night - and it looked spectacular. The rookie sensation dropped a career-high 49 points on 20-of-29 shooting, including 3-of-5 from deep, in what was arguably his most complete offensive performance to date.
He also set a personal best with 25 points in the first half alone. But despite Flagg’s individual brilliance, the Dallas Mavericks came up just short, falling 123-121 to the Charlotte Hornets in a game that featured momentum swings, clutch buckets, and a showdown between two of the league’s brightest young stars.
Flagg wasn’t interested in talking about his stat line afterward - and that tracks with everything we’ve seen from him so far. He’s wired to win, and the loss clearly stung.
Cooper Flagg on the balance of a great individual game in a difficult loss. He gave a team-focused answer, saying it was a “tough” loss. pic.twitter.com/rzkDNMZkX8
— Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) January 30, 2026
“It’s tough,” Flagg said postgame. “We fight the whole game.
Play really hard, stick together through a lot of tough stuff. They went on a lot of runs.
We stuck with it, gave ourselves a chance to win down the stretch, so it’s tough. Obviously you want to come away with a win, but a lot of positives to take away as well.”
That last part matters. Because while the Mavericks didn’t get the result they wanted, there’s no denying what Flagg is becoming - and how quickly.
His footwork, shot selection, and ability to create off the dribble are already ahead of schedule, and he’s doing it all within the flow of the offense. He’s not forcing shots or chasing numbers.
He’s just hooping - and doing it at an elite level.
But Thursday night wasn’t just about Flagg. On the other side, fellow rookie and former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel poured in 34 points to lead the Hornets.
The two rookies went back and forth like seasoned vets, trading buckets and big plays in a game that felt more like April than January. If this was a preview of what’s to come at the Rising Stars game, fans are in for a treat.
Knueppel showed off his smooth shooting stroke and ability to score at all three levels, but it was his poise that stood out. He never looked rushed, never looked rattled. Just like Flagg, he played like he belonged - and then some.
For Dallas, the loss drops them in a tightly packed Western Conference race, but the silver lining is clear: Flagg is evolving into a franchise cornerstone right before our eyes. And his head coach sees it too.
“He’s not about numbers, he’s about wins and losses. That’s who he is,” Jason Kidd said.
“He competes to win… For a young man who thinks that way, he’s gonna be a champion sooner than later. He continues to keep working.
For him to be out [with injury] then to be able to come back with this type of game… He’s just competitive and he tried to will his team into a win tonight.”
That competitive fire has been a hallmark of Flagg’s game since day one. He’s not just putting up numbers - he’s trying to lead. And even in a loss, that kind of presence matters.
The Mavericks won’t have much time to dwell on this one. They’re back in action Saturday night in Houston, where they’ll face a Rockets team that’s been tough at home. Tip-off is set for 8:30 PM EST.
For now, the Mavericks walk away with a loss, but also with a clear takeaway: Cooper Flagg isn’t just living up to the hype - he’s starting to exceed it.
Jason Kidd on what Cooper Flagg can learn from tonight’s difficult loss pic.twitter.com/CkzOMC9gEb
— Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) January 30, 2026