• Kon Knipple and the Charlotte Hornets beat Cooper Flagg’s Dallas Mavericks 123-121 in a bright duel between the two main contenders for the Rookie of the Season award.
• Knipls scored 34 points (career best) and game-winning free throws in the win, but Mavs in the ranks, the first number of the draft, Cooper Flagg, was brighter, playing a career game – 49 points and ten rebounds. Both played for the Duke University Blue Devils last season.
• The 49 points scored by the 19-year-old Flega is an NBA record among basketball players who have not reached the age of 20.
Despite the loss, Cooper Flagg put on a HISTORIC performance at home 🔥
🏀 49 PTS (New career-high, Most-ever by a teen)
🏀 10 REB
🏀 20-29 FGM pic.twitter.com/mMsg1pdFxn— NBA (@NBA) January 30, 2026
Only one game in NBA history has seen two players (teammates or opponents) combine for:
80+ points
10+ threes made
65% FG shooting
100% FT shooting
2 or fewer turnoversThat one game was tonight between Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel – two rookies under 21 from the same college. pic.twitter.com/Qrugvu1rjp
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) January 30, 2026
Kon Knueppel DOMINATED in tonight’s thrilling victory!
🏀 34 PTS (NEW CAREER-HIGH)
🏀 4 REB
🏀 8 3PM (New franchise rookie record)
🏀 10-16 FGM5 wins in a row for the @hornets! pic.twitter.com/AUGQ9jsnOq
— NBA (@NBA) January 30, 2026
• In the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves won their third consecutive home victory, beating the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder 123-111, who have lost three of their previous four games.
• Wolf Anthony Edwards had 26 points, five rebounds and the same number of assists in the win. Jayden McDaniels added 21 points, Naz Reeds 18+7, and Rudy Gobert 14+11.
• “Thunder” was not saved by league MVP Shay Gilges-Alexander’s 30 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Another 15 was thrown by Chet Holmgren.
• Minnesota is fifth in the West at 30-19, while Oklahoma City holds the lead with 38 wins in 49 games.
“I still don’t like the fact that they think certain people can guard me.”
Ant tells the crew that he’s almost unguardable 👀 pic.twitter.com/pKjkwVcyhw
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) January 30, 2026
• The Phoenix “Dogs” defeated the East leader Detroit “Pistons” at home, thanks to Dillon Brooks’ career match with 40 points – 114:96. Motor cities a team-high 26 points and seven assists for Cade Cunningham.
• The duo of Philadelphia “76ers” Tyrese Maxey (40) and Joel Embiid (37) scored a total of 77 points in the victory over the Sacramento “Kings” – 113:111. Both Philadelphia leaders also had eight assists each. Dennis Schroeder had 27 points for the California team, while Demar DeRouzen scored 25.
• Seconds before the end of regular time, Maxey also sealed the victory with a precise pass.
TYRESE MAXEY HITS THE GO-AHEAD LAYUP TO WIN IT FOR THE SIXERS 🚨
HE FINISHED WITH 40 PTS! pic.twitter.com/Z3kHeFP5yK
— NBA (@NBA) January 30, 2026
NBA games
| The game | The result | The most effective |
|---|---|---|
| 76ers – Kings | 113:111 | Maxius 40 (8rp) – Schröder 27 |
| Wizards – Bucks | 109:99 | George 23 – Turner 21 (14ab) |
| Hawks – Rockets | 86:104 | Makkolums 23 – Durents 31 |
| Bulls – Heat | 113:116 | Dosunmoo 23 – Powell 21 |
| Mavericks – Hornets | 121:123 | Flegs 49 (10ab) – Knipls 34 |
| Nuggets – Nets | 107:103 | Murray 27 – Porter 38 (10ab) |
| Suns – Pistons | 114:96 | Brukss 40 – Kaningems 26 (7rp) |
| Timberwolves – Thunder | 123:111 | Edwards 26 – Gilges-Alexander 30 (8rp) |
