UPDATE: In a historic showdown on January 25, 2024, Cooper Flagg electrified the crowd at the American Airlines Center by scoring 49 points, the most ever by a teenager in NBA history. This remarkable performance, however, was overshadowed by his college teammate Kon Knueppel, who delivered a clutch finish, leading the Charlotte Hornets to a 123-121 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
This thrilling matchup marked the first NBA meeting between the two frontrunners for Rookie of the Year, with Flagg, the No. 1 pick, and Knueppel, the No. 4 pick, engaging in a nail-biting contest that will be remembered for years. Flagg’s record-shattering night broke the previous Mavericks rookie record, which he shared with Mark Aguirre, as the team honored Aguirre’s legacy during a halftime ceremony.
Knueppel, who scored an impressive 34 points, made pivotal plays in the closing moments, including forcing a Flagg turnover with 7.6 seconds left and sinking game-winning free throws after drawing a foul on his friend. “Just a crazy ending to a phenomenal game,” Knueppel remarked, praising Flagg as “the best player on the floor tonight.”
The stakes were high as both players entered the game with the best odds for Rookie of the Year—Flagg at -400 and Knueppel at +280. Their combined total of 83 points set a new record for rookie duos, surpassing the legendary Tiny Archibald and Pete Maravich from 1971.
“It’s incredible,” Flagg said about facing his college roommate in this high-stakes environment. “We’ll both be looking back on this night for the rest of our lives.” Despite his record-setting night, Flagg acknowledged the significance of the win for Knueppel. “I think he’s probably going to jump me with 49 and 10 points,” Knueppel said, emphasizing that team success is more important than individual accolades.
Knueppel set a new franchise record for Hornets rookies with eight 3-pointers on 12 attempts, showcasing his offensive prowess early in the game. Flagg, however, rose to the challenge, scoring 23 points in the second quarter alone and finishing with 40 points by the end of the third, joining the elite ranks of LeBron James and Anthony Edwards as the only teenagers with multiple 40-point games.
As the game reached its climax, Flagg tied the score with a pull-up three-pointer with 33.5 seconds remaining, only to be double-teamed in a decisive moment that led to Knueppel’s game-winning plays. “By no surprise, our guy ends up making the biggest play of the game down the stretch,” Hornets coach Charles Lee remarked, highlighting Knueppel’s defensive instincts.
Flagg’s performance was historic, with 20-of-29 shooting from the field, marking him as the first rookie since Brandon Jennings in 2009 to achieve such a feat. After the game, Flagg acknowledged his need to improve in high-pressure situations, stating, “I’m always trying to get better.”
As the NBA season progresses, fans will be watching closely as both players continue to develop and compete for the coveted Rookie of the Year title. The excitement from this memorable night will undoubtedly linger in the hearts of players and fans alike.
