Kon Knueppel Lifts Hornets Past Mavericks Despite Cooper Flagg Record Night in Dallas

DALLAS -- Charlotte delivered one of its most significant road wins of the season Thursday night as rookie Kon Knueppel scored a career high 34 points, including two decisive free throws with 4.1 seconds remaining, to lift the Hornets to a 123 to 121 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, overshadowing a historic 49 point performance from fellow Duke alumnus Cooper Flagg.

Knueppel sealed the game after intercepting an errant pass from Flagg near midcourt with seven seconds left and the score tied. Knueppel drove to the rim and drew a foul from Flagg as the ball became lodged between the rim and backboard, setting up the game deciding free throws. Flagg’s desperation attempt at the buzzer to force overtime rimmed out, closing a dramatic finish in the latest NBA breaking update.

Flagg, who turned 19 in December, delivered a landmark performance with 49 points and 10 rebounds, setting a new NBA record for points scored in a single game by a teenager. He surpassed Cliff Robinson, who previously held the mark with 45 points at age 19 for New Jersey against Detroit on March 9 1980. Flagg also set career highs with 20 made field goals on 29 attempts, continuing a rapid ascent that has reshaped the Mavericks long term outlook.

Despite Flagg’s night, Charlotte controlled key stretches behind perimeter shooting and late game execution. Knueppel knocked down eight three pointers, establishing a new Hornets rookie record and highlighting the impact of Charlotte’s 2025 draft class. Brandon Miller added 23 points, extending his streak to nine consecutive games with at least 20 points, while LaMelo Ball finished with 22 points and six three pointers as the Hornets posted their fifth straight win. The streak is the franchise’s longest since February 2023 and reflects a notable shift in season momentum.

Dallas received 16 points from Klay Thompson off the bench, though he shot 4 of 11 from three point range. The loss marked the Mavericks third consecutive defeat, all at home, following a season best four game winning streak. Dallas was also swept in a home back to back, while Charlotte completed a road back to back sweep, a contrast that underscores diverging short term trajectories.

The game marked the first NBA meeting between Knueppel and Flagg, former Duke roommates and 2024 to 2025 freshmen whose careers continue to intersect early at the professional level. At halftime, the Mavericks honored franchise history by retiring Mark Aguirre’s jersey, making him the fifth player in team history to receive the honor and the only previous first overall draft pick in Dallas history prior to Flagg.

What this means moving forward is a growing confidence for Charlotte as young contributors continue to translate development into results, while Dallas faces next steps centered on balancing Flagg’s expanding offensive role with late game structure and roster consistency.

The Hornets return home to host San Antonio on Saturday, while the Mavericks travel to Houston as they look to halt a three game slide and recalibrate ahead of the next stretch of the season.