Rookie rivals explode for historic points. Dallas Mavericks star Cooper Flagg sets a scoring record, but former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel delivers the game-winning shot in their epic first NBA clash, with the Charlotte Hornets winning.
DALLAS, Texas — Cooper Flagg was the No. 1 overall pick of the Dallas Mavericks for a reason. He's the next big thing, and everyone sees that. He's had a great year so far, setting all sorts of records for the youngest this, and the youngest that.
But he's no sure-fire pick for NBA Rookie of the Year because his former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel, is having a great year, too. They met on the court for the first time on Thursday night, and they put on one heck of a show.
Flagg scored 49 points, the most by a teenager in NBA history. It was also the most points ever scored by a Mavericks player.
But it also wasn't enough. Knueppel, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, finished with 34 points and made the critical plays in the final moments to help the Hornets win 123-121.
"Just a crazy ending to a phenomenal game," Knueppel said. "(Flagg) was the best player on the floor tonight. Probably, I mean, that's the best player that's played against us all season. It's just fun competing against the best, and obviously, being close with him, that kind of adds to the competitiveness. So, it was really fun."
Here's the game story from Mavs Roundtable writer Grant Afseth.
The two great friends made some NBA history on Thursday night. According to ESPN Research, their combined 83 points are the most by a pair of rookies in a game since Tiny Archibald and Pete Maravich combined for 91 in 1971. That was 55 years ago.
"It's incredible. I wouldn't want to be in any other position,'' Flagg said of dueling with Knueppel for Rookie of the Year honors. "We'll both be looking back on this night and this whole year in general for the rest of our lives, and we'll be talking about it and stuff like that. It's just so special to have this opportunity in general."
Knueppel anticipates his odds to win that honor took a hit after Flagg's record-setting performance.
"We'd both like to win, but we don't talk about it," said Knueppel, who is averaging 18.9 points with an effective field goal percentage of 61.1%, the best efficiency by a rookie who scored that much. "I mean, this was a heck of a game. I think he's probably going to jump me with 49 and 10 [rebounds], but it is what it is. An award like that is cool, but whoever gets it, I'll be happy for him.
"Who knows? I'm just glad we got the win. That matters more to me than anything else."