Knueppel And Flagg Ignite NBA Rivalry In Hornets Win

It was a night marked by nostalgia, rivalry, and a glimpse into the bright future of the NBA as the Charlotte Hornets edged out the Dallas Mavericks 123-121 on January 29, 2026. But this wasn’t just any regular-season clash—it was the first professional meeting between Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg, two rookies whose bond was forged at Duke before they rocketed up the NBA Draft boards and into the spotlight. The game, played in Dallas, had all the makings of a classic, with both former Blue Devils delivering performances worthy of their growing reputations.

Before either donned an NBA jersey, Flagg and Knueppel were the heart and soul of Duke basketball. Flagg, a forward, had been the talk of college hoops even before the 2024-25 season tipped off. Mock drafts pegged him as the consensus No. 1 pick, and he lived up to the hype, ultimately being selected first overall by the Mavericks after just one collegiate season. Knueppel’s rise, however, was less expected. Projected by many as a second-round hopeful, he instead seized a leadership role as a freshman guard, showing poise and maturity well beyond his years. That leadership was on full display during a preseason practice that Duke head coach Jon Scheyer still remembers fondly. When Flagg wasn’t bringing his best, Knueppel didn’t hesitate to challenge him. As Scheyer recounted to The Athletic, “Cooper looked at him, eye to eye, and said, ‘I got you...’ and Cooper went on to just kill the rest of the day in practice.”

Fast forward to the present, and both rookies are making waves in the league. Flagg has quickly established himself as a force for Dallas, averaging 18.8 points (tops among rookies), 6.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. Knueppel, meanwhile, has been a revelation for the Hornets, leading all rookies—and ranking third in the entire NBA—with 3.3 made three-pointers per game, while also putting up 18.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.2 blocks a night. Their all-around games have not only filled stat sheets but also energized their respective teams, setting the stage for what could be a long and compelling rivalry.

On this particular night in Dallas, the stakes felt higher than usual. The Hornets came into the contest riding a four-game winning streak, having just dispatched the Memphis Grizzlies the night before. Yet, the win over the Mavericks was a nail-biter, a departure from Charlotte’s recent habit of blowing out opponents by double digits. The Mavericks, fueled by a raucous home crowd and a “generational performance” from Flagg, pushed Charlotte to the brink. But the Hornets, under head coach Charles Lee, found a way to gut out a victory, thanks in large part to their rookie sharpshooter.

Knueppel was electric from the opening tip, burying four three-pointers in the first quarter and finishing with 34 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including a blistering 8-of-12 from deep. He also contributed four rebounds and three assists, setting the tone for Charlotte’s offense. His early barrage helped the Hornets build a double-digit lead, a cushion they would need as Dallas mounted a furious comeback. Brandon Miller chipped in 23 points, six rebounds, and two assists, while LaMelo Ball orchestrated the offense with 22 points, four rebounds, and nine assists—his impact especially felt in the closing minutes when he had a hand in each of Charlotte’s last three buckets.

For the Mavericks, Flagg was every bit the “truth,” as one observer put it. Charlotte’s defense treated him with the kind of respect usually reserved for the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, building a wall in transition and doing everything possible to slow him down. Still, Flagg’s unique blend of size, skill, and basketball IQ was on full display. He kept Dallas in the game, repeatedly finding ways to score and create for his teammates, reminding everyone why he was such a coveted prospect ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft.

The game’s defining moments came in the final possessions. With the score tight and the Mavericks threatening, Charlotte’s defense made a crucial stop, thanks in part to a well-timed double team by Knueppel that allowed Sion James to make the play of the night. It was a fitting conclusion to a contest that showcased not just individual brilliance but also the kind of teamwork and grit that wins close games on the road.

Statistically, Charlotte’s victory was built on efficiency and ball security. The Hornets posted a 113.5 offensive rating in the half court and kept their turnover rate to just 9.9%. While they struggled on the offensive glass—pulling down only 10.8% of their own misses, a season low—they compensated by limiting Dallas’ transition opportunities, a must when facing a team led by a player as dynamic as Flagg.

With the win, Charlotte extended its streak to five games and moved within 2.5 games of the Eastern Conference Play-In tournament. The Hornets’ January surge has been characterized by balanced scoring and the emergence of young stars like Knueppel and Miller, but on this night, it was the rookies’ head-to-head duel that stole the show. As Eric Collins, the Hornets’ broadcaster, remarked, “Tonight’s matchup, the first between Knueppel and his college roommate Cooper Flagg, had a ‘big game feel.’”

For fans of Duke, the NBA, or just great basketball, this was a treat. The sight of Flagg and Knueppel trading buckets, leading their teams, and pushing each other to new heights evoked memories of their days in Durham but also hinted at battles to come. As Jon Scheyer put it, “It’s only right, with what they’ve gone through to this point, that it’s going to come down to the two of them (for Rookie of the Year)... I think it’s beautiful.”

The Hornets’ victory in Dallas was more than just another tally in the win column; it was a showcase of two of the league’s brightest young stars and a reminder that the future of the NBA is in very good hands. With the Play-In tournament now within sight and both teams trending upward, fans can only hope for many more chapters in the Flagg-Knueppel rivalry. For now, though, Charlotte basks in the glow of a hard-fought win, and the basketball world looks on, eager for the next showdown.