Article by David Istrate – Published Friday, January 30, 2026, 09:36 / Updated Friday, January 30, 2026 09:39
In the loss to the Charlotte Hornets, score 121-123, Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg (19 years old) set the NBA record for points scored by a basketball player under 20 years old. The American star scored 49 points, but it was not enough for a victory for his team.
On Thursday night, the Dallas Mavericks received the visit of the Charlotte Hornets, in a game that did not promise as much spectacle as other games, considering that both teams are in the tail positions of the conferences they belong to.
Cooper Flagg, 49 points in loss to Charlotte Hornets
However, Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, both rookies and former NCAA teammates at Duke, provided an honorable matchup decided in the final seconds. In the end, the Hornets prevailed 123-121 on the Mavericks' court, even though Flagg managed a historic performance.
The 19-year-old athlete finished with 49 points and 10 rebounds, setting the North American League record for most points scored by a basketball player under 20.
From the home team, Klay Thompson (16 points), Brandon Williams (15 points, 6 assists), PJ Washington (14 points, 9 rebounds) and Max Christie (13 points) stood out.
On the other side, Kon Knueppel was crucial for his team and collected 34 points. Brandon Miller (23 points, 6 rebounds), LaMelo Ball (22 points, 9 assists), Miles Bridges (17 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists) and Moussa Diabate (10 points) were the leading scorers for the Hornets.
Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel battle it out for the NBA Rookie of the Year award
“It's incredible. I wouldn't want to be in any other position. We will both look back on this night and the whole year for the rest of our lives and talk about them. It's so special to have this opportunity,” Flagg said of his and Knueppel's excellent performances.
“An incredible end to a phenomenal match. He was the best player on the pitch today. He was probably the best player to play against us this season. It's fun to fight with the best and obviously being close comes with added competitiveness. It was great,” Knueppel said, as quoted by ESPN.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd also praised his student:
“He's not interested in statistics. For him, it's all about wins and losses. That's who he is. A young man who thinks like that, sooner or later, he's going to be a champion. He keeps working and he tried to lead the team to victory last night.”
Cooper Flagg has averages 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists. The Dallas Mavericks, with a record of 19 wins and 29 losses, are in 12th place in the Western Conference.
