The Vote That Went Down to the Wire

According to official NBA voting results released Monday, Flagg received 98 first-place votes and 523 total points, while Knueppel earned 87 first-place votes and 501 points. The margin—just 22 points—is the narrowest since 2017 when Malcolm Brogdon edged Joel Embiid by 19 points. Third-place finisher Zaccharie Risacher of the Atlanta Hawks trailed significantly with 12 first-place votes and 210 points.

“This award belongs to my teammates,” Flagg said in a statement released by the Orlando Magic. “Kon pushed me every day at Duke, and he’s pushed me even more in the NBA. I’m grateful to the voters, but the real reward is getting to build something special in Orlando.”

Knueppel, who was drafted 15th overall by the Dallas Mavericks, offered his congratulations via social media: “Huge respect to Coop. This was always going to be a battle between brothers. Proud of what we both accomplished this year.”

Statistical Showdown: Flagg vs. Knueppel

The two rookies finished the regular season with remarkably similar production, though their roles and impacts differed significantly:

Flagg’s versatility stood out in the advanced metrics. He became the first rookie since Ben Simmons in 2018 to average at least 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists per game while shooting better than 38% from three-point range. His defensive impact was equally impressive—his 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per game made him the only rookie to rank in the top 20 in both categories.

Knueppel, meanwhile, emerged as Dallas’ most reliable perimeter threat off the bench. His 39.5% three-point shooting on 6.2 attempts per game ranked fifth among all rookies, and his 128 made threes were the most by a Mavericks rookie since Luka Dončić. Perhaps most impressively, Knueppel shot 42.3% from deep in clutch situations (last five minutes, score within five points), the highest mark among all NBA players with at least 50 such attempts.

The Duke Connection That Defined the Race

The narrative of two former Blue Devils battling for Rookie of the Year captured the imagination of NBA fans throughout the season. Flagg and Knueppel were roommates during their lone season at Duke in 2024-25, where they led the Blue Devils to a 28-6 record and a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Their on-court chemistry was evident from day one—they combined for 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists in Duke’s season-opening win over Kentucky, and their alley-oop connection became a staple of ESPN’s top plays.

Their professional paths diverged dramatically on draft night. Flagg, the consensus No. 1 overall pick, was selected by the Orlando Magic, where he immediately became the team’s starting power forward. Knueppel fell to the Dallas Mavericks at No. 15, where he was initially projected as a developmental project before forcing his way into the rotation with his sharpshooting.

Their head-to-head matchups this season provided some of the most compelling storylines of the rookie class. In their first meeting on November 12, 2025, Flagg outplayed Knueppel with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in a 112-105 Magic win. Knueppel got his revenge on April 12, 2026, when he scored 24 points—including six three-pointers—in the Mavericks’ 149-128 rout of Orlando. That game, played in Dallas, saw both rookies post season-high scoring nights, with Flagg contributing 28 points and 11 rebounds of his own.

Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel after the Mavericks’ win over the Magic last week:

“We’re still brothers. The jersey doesn’t change that.” – Flagg

“Exactly. We’ll settle this in the playoffs.” – Knueppel pic.twitter.com/7JQZ8X9X1f

— NBA (@NBA) April 20, 2026

Team Impact: How the Rookies Transformed Their Franchises

Flagg’s arrival in Orlando coincided with the Magic’s return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. His two-way play—ranked second among rookies in defensive win shares (3.2) and first in offensive win shares (4.8)—helped Orlando improve from 27th in defensive rating last season to 12th this year. The Magic finished the regular season with a 48-34 record, good for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, and will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.

“Cooper doesn’t play like a rookie,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said. “The way he processes the game, the way he communicates on defense—it’s like having a coach on the floor. We’re asking him to do a lot, and he’s handling it better than we could have hoped.”

In Dallas, Knueppel’s development was equally crucial. With star guard Luka Dončić missing 12 games due to injury, Knueppel stepped into a larger role, averaging 19.3 points per game in Dončić’s absence. His ability to space the floor and create his own shot off the dribble gave the Mavericks a much-needed secondary scoring option. Dallas finished the season with a 52-30 record, securing the third seed in the Western Conference and a first-round matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd praised Knueppel’s growth: “Kon came in with a chip on his shoulder. He knew people didn’t think he was ready, and he used that as motivation. The way he’s improved his handle, his shot selection—he’s going to be a problem for defenses for a long time.”

What’s Next for the Rookie Class

The Rookie of the Year award is just the beginning for Flagg and Knueppel. Both will be key figures in their teams’ playoff runs, with Flagg facing a tough first-round matchup against the Cavaliers and Knueppel preparing for a showdown with the Clippers.

For Flagg, the playoffs represent an opportunity to silence any remaining doubters. Despite his regular-season success, some analysts have questioned whether his game will translate against the physicality of playoff basketball. His matchup against Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley—one of the league’s best defensive big men—will be a significant test.

Knueppel, meanwhile, will look to build on his late-season momentum. In the Mavericks’ final 10 games, he averaged 18.7 points per game on 44.2% shooting from three-point range, including a 30-point explosion against the Phoenix Suns on April 5. His ability to perform in high-pressure situations could be the difference in what promises to be a tightly contested series against the Clippers.

The broader rookie class as well has several players poised for breakout playoff performances. Zaccharie Risacher, the third-place finisher in the Rookie of the Year voting, will be a key piece for the Atlanta Hawks as they face the Miami Heat. Risacher’s size and shooting ability make him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, and his playoff debut could elevate his profile significantly.

Key Takeaways from the 2025-26 Rookie of the Year Race

• The closest vote in nearly a decade: Flagg’s 22-point margin over Knueppel is the narrowest since Malcolm Brogdon edged Joel Embiid by 19 points in 2017.
• Duke’s influence on the NBA: Flagg and Knueppel became the first former Duke teammates to finish 1-2 in Rookie of the Year voting since Elton Brand and William Avery in 1999-2000.
• Two-way impact: Flagg joined Ben Simmons as the only rookies in the last decade to average at least 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists while shooting better than 38% from three-point range.
• Clutch performers: Knueppel shot 42.3% from deep in clutch situations, the highest mark among all NBA players with at least 50 such attempts.
• Playoff-ready rookies: Both Flagg and Knueppel will start in the playoffs, with Flagg averaging 32.4 minutes per game for the Magic and Knueppel averaging 28.7 minutes for the Mavericks.
• Franchise building blocks: The Magic and Mavericks both improved by at least 15 wins from last season, with their rookies playing pivotal roles in the turnarounds.

How to Follow the Playoff Action

The NBA playoffs tip off on Saturday, April 29, with both Flagg and Knueppel in action:

• Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers:
  • Game 1: Saturday, April 29 at 3:00 PM ET (Amway Center, Orlando)
  • Game 2: Tuesday, May 2 at 7:00 PM ET (Amway Center, Orlando)
  • Game 3: Friday, May 5 at 7:00 PM ET (Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland)
• Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers:
  • Game 1: Sunday, April 30 at 3:30 PM ET (American Airlines Center, Dallas)
  • Game 2: Wednesday, May 3 at 9:30 PM ET (American Airlines Center, Dallas)
  • Game 3: Saturday, May 6 at 8:30 PM ET (Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles)

For real-time updates, follow the official NBA accounts on Twitter and Instagram, and check NBA.com for live stats and highlights.