DALLAS – Cooper Flagg is focused on regaining his form and making a strong finish to his rookie season with the Dallas Mavericks, despite a recent injury and a challenging Rookie of the Year race with Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel. The competition for the award, a topic discussed even before Thursday’s matchup against the Cavaliers, remains tight, with some observers giving a slight edge to Knueppel.
Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, acknowledged a dip in his athleticism following a recent injury. “My athletic qualities have decreased since my injury and return,” Flagg said, as reported by basketusa.com. “I finally felt like I was getting some of my speed back tonight. Being out for three weeks like that was difficult and unusual for me. I want to receive back into my physical rhythm and finish the last 15 games strong.”
Despite a 123-110 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, Flagg showed flashes of his potential, scoring 25 points in 29 minutes on 8-of-16 shooting. A particularly impressive dunk in the third quarter ignited the crowd at the American Airlines Center, a boost the team clearly needed. The Mavericks, currently below .500, are battling for positioning in a competitive Western Conference.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd noted the impact of the dunk on Flagg’s overall performance. “We could spot that Cooper was in shape tonight,” Kidd said, according to basketusa.com. “I think his game improved after the dunk. He became a little more aggressive.”
The Mavericks face the Cavaliers again on Sunday, and Flagg is determined to build on his recent performance. He emphasized the importance of finding his rhythm and playing with aggression. “I’m just trying to get back into my rhythm, get back into the flow of the game, pick my spots, be aggressive,” Flagg explained. “Tonight, I played at a better pace, I had been rushing a bit lately. Getting back to a better pace, attacking the line, feeling comfortable. But I need to be better overall.”
The Rookie of the Year race has been a central storyline throughout the 2025-26 NBA season. Knueppel and Flagg, former Duke teammates, have consistently been at the forefront of the discussion. According to ESPN, Knueppel and Flagg entered Thursday with the best odds to win the award, with Flagg at -400 and Knueppel at +280. The Hornets, led by Knueppel, have been on a recent five-game winning streak, significantly improving their standing in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
The dynamic between the two former college roommates adds another layer to the competition. In a recent head-to-head matchup on January 30th, Knueppel’s Hornets edged out Flagg’s Mavericks 123-121. Knueppel finished with 34 points, even as Flagg led all scorers with a historic 49 points – the most scored by a teenager in NBA history, breaking a record he previously shared with Mark Aguirre. Knueppel sealed the victory with a late-game turnover forced on Flagg and two clutch free throws.
“Just a crazy ending to a phenomenal game,” Knueppel said after the January 30th contest, as reported by ESPN. “He was the best player on the floor tonight. Probably, I mean, that’s the best player that’s played against us all season. It’s just fun competing against the best, and obviously, being close with him, that kind of adds to the competitiveness. So, it was really fun.”
While Flagg’s individual statistics are impressive, the Mavericks’ team performance has hindered his chances in the Rookie of the Year conversation. According to Sports Illustrated, Knueppel has had a more significant impact on winning, leading the Hornets to a playoff contention position. Win shares, an advanced metric measuring a player’s contribution to team wins, currently favors Knueppel, who leads all rookies with 6.9 win shares, compared to Flagg’s 2.8. Ryan Kalkbrenner of the Hornets is second among rookies with 4.6 win shares.
The upcoming games will be crucial for both players as they strive to make a lasting impression before the end of the regular season. Flagg’s focus remains on regaining his peak physical condition and contributing to the Mavericks’ success. The rematch against the Cavaliers on Sunday presents an immediate opportunity for Flagg to build on his recent performance and further solidify his case for Rookie of the Year consideration.
The Mavericks will need strong performances from Flagg, and the rest of the roster, if they hope to climb the Western Conference standings and secure a playoff berth. The team’s next challenge after Sunday’s game is a road matchup against the Denver Nuggets on March 18th.
