Mavericks' Cooper Flagg Honest on Potential Rookie of the Year Loss

Flagg acknowledges disappointment if he loses ROY to Hornets' Kon Knueppel

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:43pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game or match, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, conveying the competitive energy and high stakes of the Rookie of the Year race.The intense battle between two rising NBA stars for the coveted Rookie of the Year award is captured in a cubist, fragmented visual style.Chicago Today

Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg spoke candidly about his mindset as he awaits the announcement of the NBA Rookie of the Year award, admitting he would be 'disappointed' if he loses out to Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel.

Why it matters

The Rookie of the Year race between Flagg and Knueppel has been one of the most closely watched storylines of the NBA season, with both players putting up impressive numbers and emerging as the faces of their respective franchises.

The details

Flagg, the Mavericks' star rookie, got off to a blistering start to the season and quickly established himself as the frontrunner for the award. However, Knueppel's consistent play and record-breaking three-point shooting for the Hornets has put him firmly in the mix. Over the last month, Flagg has regained some momentum with a 51-point game, but there is no clear consensus on who will ultimately win the award.

  • The 2025-26 NBA season ended on Sunday, April 13, 2026 with the Mavericks' final game.
  • The Rookie of the Year award is set to be announced in the coming days.

The players

Cooper Flagg

A rookie forward for the Dallas Mavericks who had a standout debut season and is considered a frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award.

Kon Knueppel

A rookie guard for the Charlotte Hornets who set the rookie record for three-pointers made in a season and is also in contention for the Rookie of the Year award.

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What they’re saying

“I'd be disappointed. It's something that I think all rookies come out and they strive for. And that's the award they want to get, so I would definitely be disappointed.”

— Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks Rookie

What’s next

The NBA will announce the Rookie of the Year award in the coming days, with Flagg and Knueppel considered the top two candidates.

The takeaway

The battle between Flagg and Knueppel for Rookie of the Year has been one of the most compelling storylines of the NBA season, with both players emerging as the faces of their respective franchises. Flagg's honest admission about his disappointment if he loses the award shows how much it means to him, and underscores the high stakes of this closely watched race.