Kon Knueppel Surges in Rookie of the Year Race as Cooper Flagg Sits Out

Flagg's foot injury has him sidelined, while Knueppel breaks rookie 3-point record for playoff-contending Hornets

Feb. 27, 2026 at 10:50pm

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Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg has missed the last six games due to a left foot sprain, allowing Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel to surge in the NBA Rookie of the Year race. Knueppel recently broke the rookie record for 3-pointers in a season, while Flagg's Mavericks have fallen down the Western Conference standings. The two former Duke teammates now share the same odds to win the award.

Why it matters

The race for NBA Rookie of the Year has taken an interesting turn, with Flagg's injury opening the door for Knueppel to make a strong push. This highlights the unpredictable nature of the award and how injuries can shift the landscape. It also showcases the impressive performances of two talented young players who were selected close together in last year's draft.

The details

Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, hasn't played since Feb. 10 due to the foot sprain. Meanwhile, Knueppel has been on a tear for the playoff-contending Hornets, breaking the rookie 3-point record on Thursday with his 207th triple of the season. Knueppel is now tied with Flagg at -115 odds to win Rookie of the Year at BetMGM.

  • Flagg has missed the last six games since Feb. 10.
  • Knueppel broke the rookie 3-point record on Feb. 23, 2026.

The players

Cooper Flagg

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Flagg is a 19-year-old rookie for the Dallas Mavericks.

Kon Knueppel

A 20-year-old rookie guard for the Charlotte Hornets, Knueppel recently broke the NBA rookie record for 3-pointers in a season.

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What’s next

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The takeaway

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