Cooper Flagg scores 49 in historic rookie performance

The NBA hasn't seen a show similar this from a rookie since Michael Jordan. Dallas was defeated by the Charlotte Hornets 123-121 connected Friday night, and the leader of the triumph was Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel, who deed 2 escaped throws with 4.1 seconds near to acceptable his idiosyncratic vocation grounds of 34 points.

Although Charlotte celebrated, the historical nighttime belonged to Cooper Flagg, a erstwhile Duke player, who scored 49 points for the defeated team. Flagg, who turned 19 successful December, broke the NBA grounds for astir points scored by a teen successful a game. The erstwhile grounds was held by Cliff Robinson, who scored 45 points for New Jersey successful 1980. Flagg, 19 years and 39 days old, besides became the youngest subordinate to people 40+ points and 10+ rebounds successful a azygous game. He besides acceptable a idiosyncratic champion with 20 tract goals connected 29 attempts.

In addition, Flagg acceptable the franchise grounds for points successful a rookie season, the erstwhile grounds shared by Mark Aguirre, whose jersey was raised contiguous successful Dallas. Let's besides adhd that Flagg is the archetypal rookie since the 1984/85 season. who scored 49 points and caught 10 hoops – that's what Michael Jordan did then.

Thriller ending

The victor was decided successful the past seconds. With the people tied 121-121 with 7 seconds left, Knueppel intercepted Flagg's walk adjacent midcourt. He headed for the handbasket and was fouled by Flagg. Knueppel calmly deed some escaped throws, portion Flagg's buzzer-beating effort bounced disconnected the backmost of the hoop.

Knueppel deed 8 3-pointers, a grounds for a rookie successful Hornets history. The Charlotte squad recorded its 5th consecutive victory, its longest streak since February 2023. Brandon Miller added 23 points, portion LaMelo Ball had 22 points and six 3-pointers.

On the different hand, the Mavericks suffered their 3rd consecutive nonaccomplishment astatine home. Klay Thompson scored 16 points disconnected the bench. NBA fans proceed to rave astir Flagg's show arsenic the Hornets proceed to rotation retired wins and make breathtaking moments this season.