Luka Doncic's Injury May Help Mavericks' Cooper Flagg Win Rookie of the Year

Flagg's historic season could be boosted by Doncic's eligibility issues and Knueppel's poor Play-In performance.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:44pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action of a basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into overlapping planes of color and shape, the ball and court lines cutting through the composition.Flagg's standout rookie season may earn him Rookie of the Year honors, despite late-season injury concerns and a tight race with Knueppel.Dallas Today

Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg has been in a tight race for NBA Rookie of the Year with Charlotte Hornets' Kon Knueppel. However, Flagg's campaign may have received a boost due to two key factors: Luka Doncic's injury making him ineligible for some awards, and Knueppel's poor performance in the Play-In Tournament. Flagg had a standout rookie season, joining elite company in several statistical categories, but last impressions can be crucial for voters.

Why it matters

The Rookie of the Year award is highly coveted, and Flagg's historic season could cement his legacy if he wins. This would also be a major accomplishment for the Mavericks, who are rebuilding after Doncic's departure. The race has been close, but Doncic's injury and Knueppel's struggles may have tipped the scales in Flagg's favor.

The details

Flagg, the Mavericks' first-round pick, has been in a tight race with Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets for Rookie of the Year. Flagg averaged 21.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 4.5 APG, joining elite company like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Oscar Robertson, and Luka Doncic as the only rookies to reach those benchmarks. However, Flagg's late-season ankle injury put his campaign in jeopardy, as voters often consider last impressions. Meanwhile, Knueppel struggled mightily in the Play-In Tournament, which could sway some voters despite the award not typically being impacted by postseason performance.

  • Flagg suffered an ankle injury in the Mavericks' season finale on April 12, 2026.
  • Doncic suffered a hamstring injury on April 2, 2026, putting his eligibility for postseason awards in question.
  • The NBA awards ballots are typically distributed between the end of the regular season and the start of the Play-In Tournament.

The players

Cooper Flagg

A rookie forward for the Dallas Mavericks who had a historic season, joining elite company in several statistical categories.

Kon Knueppel

A rookie guard for the Charlotte Hornets who has been in a tight race with Flagg for Rookie of the Year.

Luka Doncic

A former Mavericks star who now plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, and whose injury may impact his eligibility for postseason awards.

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What’s next

The NBA will make a decision on Luka Doncic's eligibility for postseason awards in the coming days, which could impact Cooper Flagg's Rookie of the Year campaign. Media members will also need to submit their final Rookie of the Year votes soon.

The takeaway

Cooper Flagg's historic rookie season with the Mavericks has put him in position to win Rookie of the Year, but a late-season injury and Luka Doncic's eligibility issues have created some uncertainty. Flagg's chances may have been boosted by Kon Knueppel's poor Play-In Tournament performance, though voter impressions can still be crucial. Regardless of the outcome, Flagg has cemented his place among the NBA's elite young talents.