In Dallas, we simply witnessed one of the finest rookie duels of recent years with talent and suspense. On arrival, it is Could Knueppel (34 points) who scored the winning basket for the Hornets, while Cooper Flagg plante 49 points !
This evening at the American Airlines Center had all the makings of a big event: a highly anticipated duel between two star rookies from Duke, Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, jersey retirement ceremony for Mark Aguirre, and a Dallas audience ready to thrill.
However, the match started very badly for Dallas. From the first quarter, Knueppel caught fire: he scored three 3-point shots in less than five minutes, then a fourth shortly after, to the point of almost beating the Mavericks alone. Charlotte is rolling, while Dallas lacks energy and skill. Flagg, discreet, only scores two points and the Mavs are already behind by 13 points (33-20) after twelve minutes.
Everything changes in the second quarter. Flagg goes into boss mode: aggressive drives, spectacular dunk on Moussa Diabate, then an And-1 on Brandon Miller. In less than five minutes, he stacks up 14 points and revives Dallas. The tempo also accelerates thanks to Ryan Nembhard, who treats PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford on alley-oop. Just before the break, Brandon Williams concluded an acrobatic action with the foul: Dallas returned to the locker room trailing only 59-58 after overcoming a 13-point deficit.
Franchise record for Flagg
After a half-time extended by the tribute to Aguirre, the Flagg-Knueppel duel resumes with a vengeance. Flagg went on to score 15 points in the third quarter, but Knueppel responded immediately, planting his sixth and seventh points to keep Charlotte in front. In the money time of the quarter, Klay Thompson then Caleb Martin slammed two crucial 3-point shots: 93-93 before the last act.
Buoyed by this dynamic, Dallas briefly took control at the start of the fourth quarter. Thompson continues, Williams scores in transition and the Mavs take the lead. But Charlotte responded during Flagg’s rest with a 9-2 run. The two rookies go blow for blow: drives, difficult shots, total composure. A penetration by Flagg gives him his 44th point and the points record for a Mavericks rookie, surpassing Aguirre. What a wink!
An epic finale!
The end of the match is unbearable. LaMelo Ball and Miller provide valuable support to Knueppel, while Max Christie finally comes out of his box to tie the score at 118-118 with one minute remaining. After a 3-point shot from Miller, Flagg responded with a huge long-distance shot 34 seconds from the buzzer: tie 121-121.
On the last possession, everything changes. Flagg’s pass is intercepted by Knueppel near the halfway line. He goes on a counter-attack, is stopped by a foul from Flagg and converts his two free throws with 4.1 seconds remaining. Flagg’s desperate attempt at the buzzer bounced off the hoop: Charlotte won 123-121.
Despite the defeat, Flagg posted a historic performance: 49 points, 10 rebounds, a new NBA record for a 19-year-old player. Knueppel compiled 34 points and 8 three-pointers, sealing a fifth consecutive victory for the Hornets. The first NBA clash between the two former Duke partners kept all its promises.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– 5 out of 5. We can no longer stop the Hornets who sign a 5th victory in a row to follow the Bulls in the race for 10th place, synonymous with play-in.
– Mark Aguirre honored. Former first choice of the Mavericks Draft, like Cooper Flagg, Aguirre became the 5th player in the history of the franchise to have his jersey retired.
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
