Thursday night in Dallas, Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel had their first NBA game against each other as the Charlotte Hornets visited the Dallas Mavericks and man, did they both ball out.
Flagg finished with 49 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and one block while Knueppel racked up 34 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.
None it was selfish or gunning: Flagg shot 20-29 (68.9%) while Knueppel hit 10-16 (62.5%) and all of it came in the flow of the game for both.
It was an interesting stop
in the Rookie of the Year race, which will go to one or the other, unless they split the award, which would be amazing.
At this point, on an individual basis, you might have to give to Flagg, but in terms of impact on the team, Knueppel has the edge. The nature of his game has persuaded everyone to buy in and he has transformed the Hornets into something unusual. We heard today that with Knueppel, LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges starting, the Hornets are 10-1 and their offensive efficiency with that group is off the charts good.
Here are some videos of last night’s game and some links below that.
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- Cooper Flagg vs Kon Knueppel in Historic Duke Rookie Showdown
- Kon Knueppel’s HISTORIC Night From Deep | January 29, 2026
- Duke alums Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel set career highs in first NBA matchup
- Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel set career highs in duel of star rookies
- The Athletic: Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel: Friends, former roommates and now Rookie of the Year favorites
- Knueppel, Hornets overcome Flagg, Mavs in rookie showdown
- Kon Knueppel, Hornets win in epic rookie duel with Cooper Flagg, Mavs
- Cooper Flagg–Kon Knueppel stats: Former Duke roommates combine for 83 points, offer glimpse into NBA’s future
- Kon Knueppel Calls Cooper Flagg ‘Best Player’ He’s Faced in NBA After Historic Matchup
- Hornets’ Kon Knueppel Reacts After Epic Duel With Cooper Flagg in Dallas Win
