The first No. 1 pick in franchise history then witnessed the team\u2019s only other first overall draft selection break his own rookie scoring record.<\/p>\n
Related<\/p>\n
![\"Former](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769754381_976_RDDCRRALHFD7PHEPV7KUTXI6GI.jpg\")
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Mavericks<\/p>\n
By signing up, you agree to our\u00a0Terms of Service<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n Cooper Flagg scored a career-high 49 points, but the Mavericks\u2019 celebratory night was spoiled by a 123-121 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cIt feels great. I\u2019m honored,\u201d Flagg said. \u201cIt\u2019s special to have an accomplishment like that on such a special night for him and the organization. I just feel blessed. It\u2019s a pretty cool thing.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u2019 single-game record for a rookie [42] that he shared with Aguirre.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Flagg missed a midrange jumper that would\u2019ve tied the score with as the final buzzer sounded, marking the conclusion of another special performance for the 19-year-old. <\/p>\n \u201cJust gotta be better,\u201d Flagg said. \u201cThe shot, that\u2019s a shot I work on and a shot I like taking. With the turnover, just gotta be better. I\u2019m trying to learn still.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGreat game as a player or coach or a fan, to be a part of. A lot of good basketball down the stretch,\u201d Kidd said. \u201cCooper was incredible. Most points by a rookie or teenager. He broke Aguirre\u2019s record. A lot of things happened tonight for that young man.\u201d<\/p>\n There was a designated time for pleasantries between Flagg and Kon Knueppel.<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n Chitose Suzuki \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n They were former teammates before the ball was tipped into the air and after the final buzzer sounded. <\/p>\n Strictly competitors during the 2 hours and 39 minutes in between.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Only one could walk away from AAC with a win. That person was Knueppel, who won Round 1 against Flagg.<\/p>\n Flagg will have a chance to even the score when the Mavericks visit the Hornets on March 3.<\/p>\n Twitter\/X: @MikeACurtis2<\/a><\/p>\n Historic Mark: See photos as Mavericks honor franchise great Mark Aguirre, retire jersey<\/p>\n Shortly after Mark Aguirre\u2019s number was enshrined in the AAC rafters, Flagg broke the Mavericks great\u2019s franchise record for points in a game by a rookie.<\/p>\n The NBA also announced a change for one of Dallas\u2019 meetings with the Grizzlies in Memphis.<\/p>\n![\"Former](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IVSCY7SGSVA4BCZQ7KIBNK3CXM.jpg\")
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View Gallery<\/a>\u2018The legacy rolls on\u2019: As Mavs salute franchise great, Cooper Flagg offers his own homage<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Dallas](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769754383_893_OZRMJV5WLBEGRMFOROJTNBK4NA.jpg\")
<\/a>Dallas Mavericks get new date for postponed road game against Milwaukee Bucks<\/a><\/p>\n