History was made at American Airlines Center on Thursday night, in more ways than just one.
Mark Aguirre was immortalized in Mavericks lore with the raising of his No. 24 jersey, joining legends Rolando Blackman, Derek Harper, Brad Davis and Dirk Nowitzki as the fifth player in the team’s storied history to receive the honor.
The first No. 1 pick in franchise history then witnessed the team’s only other first overall draft selection break his own rookie scoring record.
Related
Mavericks
Cooper Flagg scored a career-high 49 points, but the Mavericks’ celebratory night was spoiled by a 123-121 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
The competitor in Flagg was disappointed by the outcome of another tough loss, but he was grateful the moment occurred on a night when Aguirre, his predecessor, received his flowers.
“It feels great. I’m honored,” Flagg said. “It’s special to have an accomplishment like that on such a special night for him and the organization. I just feel blessed. It’s a pretty cool thing.”
The Mavericks trailed by three points with 38.5 seconds left when Flagg rose and connected on the biggest 3-pointer of his early career, which tied the game at 121. The clutch triple gave him a new scoring high of 49 points, surpassing the Mavericks’ single-game record for a rookie [42] that he shared with Aguirre.
However, that feat was spoiled just seconds later as Flagg committed one of two turnovers on his special night that led to a fast break opportunity by his former roommate at Duke. Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel stole the ball from Flagg and drove the length of the floor. Flagg was called for a foul as he contested Knueppel, which set his old pal up for the go-ahead free throws to ice the game.
Flagg missed a midrange jumper that would’ve tied the score with as the final buzzer sounded, marking the conclusion of another special performance for the 19-year-old.
“Just gotta be better,” Flagg said. “The shot, that’s a shot I work on and a shot I like taking. With the turnover, just gotta be better. I’m trying to learn still.”
“Great game as a player or coach or a fan, to be a part of. A lot of good basketball down the stretch,” Kidd said. “Cooper was incredible. Most points by a rookie or teenager. He broke Aguirre’s record. A lot of things happened tonight for that young man.”
There was a designated time for pleasantries between Flagg and Kon Knueppel.
Former Duke teammates, Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, from left, Charlotte Hornets guard Sion James and Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel are seen together before an NBA basketball game at American Airlines Center, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Dallas.
Chitose Suzuki / Staff Photographer
They were former teammates before the ball was tipped into the air and after the final buzzer sounded.
Strictly competitors during the 2 hours and 39 minutes in between.
The leading candidates for Rookie of the Year clashed in their first regular-season meeting as professionals, a circumstance both could only dream of just nine months ago when they were freshmen at Duke.
Only one could walk away from AAC with a win. That person was Knueppel, who won Round 1 against Flagg.
Flagg will have a chance to even the score when the Mavericks visit the Hornets on March 3.
Twitter/X: @MikeACurtis2
Historic Mark: See photos as Mavericks honor franchise great Mark Aguirre, retire jersey
View Gallery‘The legacy rolls on’: As Mavs salute franchise great, Cooper Flagg offers his own homage
Shortly after Mark Aguirre’s number was enshrined in the AAC rafters, Flagg broke the Mavericks great’s franchise record for points in a game by a rookie.
Dallas Mavericks get new date for postponed road game against Milwaukee Bucks
The NBA also announced a change for one of Dallas’ meetings with the Grizzlies in Memphis.
Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.