Kon Knueppel and the Charlotte Hornets faced off against the Dallas Mavericks without Cooper Flagg last night in Charlotte’s 90-117Â victory.
Knueppel and Flagg have been gunning against each other for the NBA Rookie of the Year title, and Knueppel shared his thoughts on Flagg’s latest injury setback.
Kon Knueppel’s Well Wishes for Cooper Flagg
Speaking on ESPN’s “SportsCenter,” Knueppel said, “I love him. I hope he gets back soon. I want to see him out there, but definitely maybe a little crap talk.”
Flagg sustained a left midfoot sprain in mid-February, causing him to miss the team’s last eight games, including last night’s road loss to the Hornets.
Earlier in the season, the 2025 No.1 overall pick also missed games due to ankle and back problems, but this current midfoot sprain marks his longest absence so far.
The Mavericks are at the start of a six-game road trip, and Jason Kidd has given some optimistic news regarding Flagg and his potential return.
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Per Mavericks insider Eddie Sefko, Kidd said, “He’s ramping up. Everything is going well. Today was to kind of get back in his routine, and hopefully, as we go on this road trip, he can get in and play a game or two.”
Flagg has been astonishing in his rookie season, showing a level of maturity rarely seen in a player’s first year.
On the season, Flagg is currently averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 48.2% from the field.
Meanwhile, Knueppel, his former Duke teammate, is also having a stellar season in the East with the Hornets, as both battle for Rookie of the Year honors.
Kon on ROTY race with Cooper:
“I love him. I hope he gets back soon. I want to see him out there but definitely maybe a little crap talk” pic.twitter.com/ib9nEhnJRX
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) March 4, 2026
At the end of January, Flagg recorded a monster 49 points in a loss to Knueppel’s Hornets, breaking the record for most points scored by a teenager in the NBA.
As for Knueppel himself, the Charlotte small forward has already established himself as one of the best three-point shooters in the league.
Prior to last night’s game against Dallas, he passed Donovan Mitchell to become the league leader on threes made for the season, totaling 212 for this campaign.
Notably, he holds the NBA record for fastest player to 100 career 3-pointers made and also holds the rookie records for most games with 20-plus points on 50/40/90 shooting splits (17).
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Knueppel has the most games with five+ 3-pointers made (18), and the most consecutive games with multiple 3-pointers made (16).
Heading into March, Knueppel sits just ahead of Flagg in the race to win the award, but with so much basketball left to play, the battle will only get more intense as the season cools to a close.
To Kon Knueppel: For You As A Bible enthuist…
Jesus had many who befriended him as he traveled. Men and women.
But he never chose to marry and have a family. He did have a male friend who was always with him. They were together thru Jesus adult life. Was known as Jesus closest and besloved companion.
Who is he.—————
Watched both Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg play with Duke.
Both work hard on the areas they need ‘em to improve, worked exceeding well together. sorry they left early. They are among the best ever……. both of them….. and were crazy about each other.
They had an unusual relationship. Kon was very Homesick, but Cooper helped him get past that. Kon helped Cooper also at difficult times on the Court. They grew to really love and care deeply for each other.