Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg missed Tuesday's 117-90 loss to the Charlotte Hornets, then received an encouraging injury update ahead of Wednesday's matchup against the Orlando Magic. Flagg missed the last eight games with a foot injury, but was listed as questionable on the Mavericks' injury report.
Flagg, who hasn't played since the Mavericks' 120-111 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Feb. 20, could make his return in Thursday's game against the Magic. The Rookie of the Year candidate is averaging 20.4 points on 48.2% shooting, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game this season.
Jeff Teague of the Mavericks on Cooper Flag, Kon Knueppel of the Hornets
Former NBA guard Jeff Teague addressed the Mavericks' Cooper Flagg's candidacy for Rookie of the Year opposite Hornets rookie Kon Nueppel. Duke's two prospects are the leading candidates for the award, and the race is close, as Knueppel has taken a slight lead as the likely favorite to win the award.
Flagg, who had led in rushing all season amid Cooper's injury, and the Hornets' five-game winning streak, was overtaken by Knueppel as Teague. Mentioned in their selection For Rookie of the Year, according to the Club 520 Podcast.
"If he is [Knueppel] Not Rookie of the Year, he was robbed. They [are] actually winning the game, that [is] Average 20 points.”
"He's killing every game... If he's not Player of the Year, he's been robbed. They're actually winning games, he's averaging 20 points."
Jeff Teague on Kon Knuppel 🗣️
(via @club520podcast)pic.twitter.com/B019SER50Z
- ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 25 February 2026
In only his first season, Flagg is averaging 20+ points while playing for the Hornets. Knueppel is averaging 19.2 points on 48.8% shooting, and his 43.5% 3-point clip leads the NBA, along with his 212 threes. The Hornets improved to 31–31, the ninth-best record in the Eastern Conference standings.
Flagg and the Mavericks, who have lost eight of their last 10 games, have the fourth-worst record (21-40) in the Western Conference.
