Cooper Flagg was a first round overall pick for the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA draft [Getty Images]
Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg became the first teenager to score 49 points in an NBA game as they lost 123-121 against the Charlotte Hornets at American Airlines Center.
The 19-year-old beat Clifford Robinson's previous record of 45 points set in 1980 when playing for the New Jersey Nets against the Detroit Pistons.
Flagg, making his 43rd appearance of the season, also became the youngest player to score at least 40 points and 10 rebounds.
The Hornets' Kon Knueppel, who was room-mates with Flagg at Duke University, also posted impressive numbers.
The 20-year-old scored a career-high 34 points and was successful with eight of his 12 three-pointer attempts - setting a rookie record for Charlotte.
Their combined 83 points was the highest of any opposing rookies in more than 50 years, and they were the first pair of opposing rookies from the same college to each score 30-plus points in the same game.
The Dallas Mavericks sit 12th in the Western Conference after falling to four successive defeats, while the Charlotte Hornets have won five in a row and are 11th in the Eastern Conference.
But it was his old college roommate at Duke, Kon Knueppel, who got the win.
Knueppel stole a pass from Flagg with seven seconds left in a tie game, drove to the rim in transition and was fouled by Flagg. Knueppel then scored his 33rd and 34th points of the game on free throws with 4.1 seconds left, giving Charlotte the 123-121 win.
Knueppel had a big night himself, knocking down eight 3-pointers to set a Hornets rookie record.
The former college roommates delivered an EPIC DUEL in Dallas
Cooper Flagg: 49 PTS (career-high, most-ever by a teen), 10 REB, 20-29 FGM
Kon Knueppel: 34 PTS (career-high), 4 REB, 8 3PM (new franchise rookie record), 10-16 FGM pic.twitter.com/J081u6J6os
Charlotte got 23 points from Brandon Miller (that's nine straight games with 20+ points for Miller), while LaMelo Ball added 22 points, including hitting six 3-pointers.
DALLAS (AP) — As Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg set the NBA record for points by a teenager with 49 on Thursday night in a 123-121 loss to Charlotte, he broke the franchise rookie scoring record he shared with Mark Aguirre — whose jersey was retired at halftime.
“Mark Aguirre is special. Such a special night for him and the whole organization,” said Flagg, who turned 19 in December. “I just feel blessed. It’s a pretty cool thing.”
“You saw history,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “We saw history at halftime, and we got to see a young man play the game at a very high level. To have Mark in the building and break his record was pretty special.”
Also special for the No. 1 draft pick last summer from Duke was playing his first NBA game against Kon Knueppel, his roommate as Blue Devils freshmen last season. Knueppel, drafted fourth, set his own career record with 34 points and hit the two winning free throws with 4.1 seconds left after being fouled at the rim by Flagg.
“Cooper, he played like the best player we’ve played all season,” said Knueppel, who set a franchise rookie record hitting eight 3-pointers. “He had a heck of a game, he’s a heck of a player, and he’s going to have a heck of a career.”
Flagg referred to Knueppel as his “brother for life.”
Cliff Robinson set the previous NBA teen record of 45 at age 19 for New Jersey in a game against Detroit on March 9, 1980. Flagg’s previous high of 42 points also came in a defeat — 140-133 at Utah on Dec. 15. As did Aguirre’s, in a 118-112 loss to Golden State on Nov. 14, 1981.
It didn’t start out looking like a historic night for Flagg. He shot 1 for 4 in the first quarter as the Mavericks fell behind by 15 points. He caught fire in the second period, hitting 8 of 9 including 2 of 3 from downtown plus 5 for 5 at the free-throw line. His 23 points in the period and 25 at halftime were both Dallas individual highs this season.
Knueppel conversely came out hot. He hit his first three shots from behind the arc, 4 for 5 in the first period and added another in the second quarter.
“When he sees some easy ones go in to start the game, it’s never a good thing (for an opponent),” Flagg said of Knueppel, who turned 20 in August. “That’s how it is for a lot of great shooters.”
Any trash talk?
“Chirping back and forth,” Flagg said. “Just having fun.”
The two leading candidates for Rookie of the Year finished the night with Flagg averaging 19.5 points per game, Knueppel 18.9. They’ll meet again on March 3 in Charlotte.
It will be difficult to match their collective effort on Thursday night.
“We’ll both be looking back on this night and this whole year in general the rest of our lives,” Flagg said.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 16: Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up the court against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of their preseason game at the Delta Center on October 16, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah.(NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was reported a few days ago about the Washington Wizards’ interest in Walker Kessler by Tim MacMahon. Michael Scotto added some new insight to that interest in Kessler.
Story: Reporting on Giannis Antetokounmpo, Domantas Sabonis, Jalen Green, Walker Kessler, Yves Missi, and trade talks involving the Lakers, Celtics, Knicks, Hawks, Bulls, Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Jazz, Spurs, Magic, Pelicans, and Wizards on @hoopshype. https://t.co/m0X18YNzYs
The Washington Wizards are the latest team, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, interested in Utah Jazz enter Walker Kessler. Previously, the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers have also been linked to the 24-year-old center.
…
Regarding the recently reported Wizards interest in Kessler, while he’s a player liked by members of Washington’s front office, the Wizards are building around Alex Sarr as their center of the future, league sources told HoopsHype.
This makes sense for the Wizards, who have a rising star in Alex Sarr. If they view him as the future at the center position, then Kessler doesn’t make sense as a player for them to pursue. If they could get him for cheap, maybe, but they know that Utah can match any offer.
It’s also good news for the Jazz, who are surely hoping to get Kessler on a reasonable contract. We know that Kessler and his camp had been asking for an amount that Utah did not want to pay, and left him the option to play the market. The only issue with this strategy is that it only takes one team to make a big offer. If that happens, will the Jazz blink? Knowing that, it makes news like this good for the Jazz. It’s likely one less team bidding for Kessler.
PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 23: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns on December 23, 2025 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers (28-18) look to quickly get back to the winning column in Washington where they will take on the struggling Wizards (11-34). This is the first matchup between the teams this season.
The Lakers’ most recent loss to the Cavaliers had disaster written all over it. No one other than Luka Dončić had more than 12 points, they were outscored in the third quarter (42-22) and they were outrebounded and outscored from the 3-point line as well as inside the paint. It was one of those games where nothing went right for the purple and gold, at least for most of the second half.
It’s also one of those games that has to be flushed in the toilet because there’s nothing the Lakers can do about it besides move on to Washington, literally. On Friday, the Lakers will continue their road trip in the nation’s capital where they will be hosted by the worst team in the NBA right now. They’ll be on the second night of a back-to-back when they face the purple and gold.
This is the perfect opportunity for the Lakers to get back on track and conclude their current eight-game road trip on a strong note. It’ll be nice to see literally everyone play better than they did in this one. They should be able to get theirs more easily against a team that ranks 28th offensively and 29th defensively.
There’s no excuse for the Lakers’ offense and defense not showing up in this one, as they did against the Cavaliers. This should be one of their easiest games this season. It’ll be great to see the Lakers play with more energy, the type that depicts that they’re so much better than the team that showed up in Cleveland. A more concerted effort in closing out defensively, boxing out for rebounds and imposing their will on both ends of the floor would be a sight for sore eyes.
Moreover, perhaps the most notable storyline of this one is possibly the return of Austin Reaves, who has missed the last 17 games due to a calf strain injury and is currently listed as questionable ahead of Friday’s game. This is a big development for the Lakers, who have been missing AR’s services. His return lessens Dončić and James’s scoring responsibilities and adds much-needed speed and boost in the lineup. It’s unfair to expect Austin to instantly return to form but this game is a good start for him to do so.
Note that the Wizards still don’t have Trae Young active in their lineup due to injury, so there’s really no excuse for the Lakers to lose this one. As long as Alex Sarr, Khris Middleton and Kyshawn George don’t play extraordinarily well, L.A. is poised to bounce back.
Let’s see if they can do just that on Friday.
Notes and Updates
For the Lakers’ injury report, Luka Dončić (left ankle soreness) and Austin Reaves (left calf strain) are questionable.
Adou Thiero (right MCL sprain) are listed as out.
Since the Wizards are playing on the second night of a back-to-back, they don’t have an injury report yet for Friday’s game. However, expect Trae Young (knee and quadriceps), Cam Whitemore (venous condition), Marvin Bagley III (thoracic strain) and Tristan Vukcevic (left hamstring strain) to be out.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 29: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates his three-point basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first quarter at Target Center on January 29, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!
Despite the game being their fourth in five nights, the Minnesota Timberwolves took down the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night. It was their third straight victory after losing their previous five games, including an awful night at Target Center last Sunday.
Before the game, the Timberwolves came out in shirts that read “Stand with Minnesota” and released a statement extending their sympathies and love for the Minnesota community.
The Wolves won the game wire-to-wire, with Anthony Edwards opening the scoring with a 3-pointer. Minnesota went up by as many as 18 points in the first half and 21 in the second half as they cruised to their 30th win of the season.
The Timberwolves shot the lights out all game, making 22 shots from beyond the arc, doubling OKC’s total, including 4-10 from Anthony Edwards, 4-8 from Naz Reid, 3-6 from Bones Hyland, and 5-5 from Jaden McDaniels.
The Wolves’ defense was also on point right from the jump, holding Oklahoma City to just six points through the first six minutes of the game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 30 points on 12-18 shooting, which felt like a pedestrian night for the MVP frontrunner.
It was an all-around scoring effort for the Wolves as all eight rotation players scored at least seven points, with six scoring in double-figures. Edwards put up 26 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block. While the numbers may not be eye-catching, Edwards did a fantastic job dealing with the OKC ball pressure as they sent two to the ball on almost every ball screen.
“Just taking what they give me,” Edwards said after the game. “Take my shots and if they given me to pull up three. Take it. They giving me the midrange taken. And I think mainly, like I said, just trusting my teammates, because that’s what they gonna make you do. I get by Dort or get by Wallace, two, three guys gonna come over to the rim. So just being able to make that play and making it over and over, finding Rudy, finding Donte in the corner, just like I said, trusting my teammates.”
McDaniels finished with 21 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch had high praise for the Jaden postgame, “Just outstanding. Both sides of the ball. Shot making was elite. Decision making was really good. His defense was awesome. I thought he made Shai work for everything. Discipline in the fouling. Rebounded pretty well too.”
“The intensity to start the game.” McDaniels himself said about the key to the game defensively. “Just making the right reads on defense, having pressure, really just starting the game off well with the right defensive mindset and they see that’s why we get certain leads and been able to hold them for the whole game.”
Usually, a win against the defending champions would come as at least a little bit of a surprise, but not for the Wolves. It has become a pattern with this team over the years, just when you think they are primed to rip off a bunch of wins in a row, they stumble, and just when it seems like all hope is lost, they play their best basketball of the season. It’s the perfect lesson of never too high, never too low.
“Yeah, sometimes you beat yourself sometimes,” Reid said when asked about the Wolves being their own worst enemy. “It’s a long season, you’re going to have boneheaded mistakes or plays that just leads to losses that you should’ve won. Everybody goes through it. It’s how you respond that matters most.”
It’s the Timberwolves’ best and worst quality. They respond to adversity and losing streaks well, never falling down for too long, but they also let their effort wax and wane after a good stretch of play.
The key now and for the rest of the season is to find some sort of consistency from night to night.
Up Next
The Timberwolves head out on a three-game road trip, the first two of which are against the Memphis Grizzlies. The first game on Saturday begins at 7:00 PM CT, airing on FanDuel Sports Network. The second game on Monday starts at 6:30 PM CT on Peacock.
After the pair of games in Memphis, the Timberwolves head across the border to face the Toronto Raptors, where the Wolves have not won since January 21, 2004.
DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 29: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks and Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets talk after the game at American Airlines Center on January 29, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In a game that was billed as a historic clash between two rookie sensations, Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel both delivered in a back and forth game that Dallas lost 123-121.
Flagg poured in a historic 49 point game, while Knueppel exploded for 34, including the game winning free throws.
To the grades!
Cooper Flagg: A+
49 PTS / 10 REB / 3 AST / 0 STL / 1 BLK – 38 MIN
When the Mavericks drafted Cooper Flagg, it singlehandedly saved the franchise, and so far he has far exceeded every single lofty expectation.
His defense, passing, and IQ were to be expected, but this kind of scoring output was seen as an eventual ceiling, not an immediate skill. Many draft analysts even questioned if he could ever be a number one option.
Scoring at this level at his age has never been seen before, as he became the first teenager to ever score more than 45 points in a game, something even Lebron could not accomplish.
While this season has been tough to get through, games like this are why we tune in every single night, because you never know when Cooper Flagg will make history.
P.J. Washington: D-
14 PTS / 9 REB / 3 AST / 1 STL / 2 BLK – 35 MIN
P.J. Washington has not been good this year, and when the Mavericks have needed him, he has come up short.
While his box score numbers aren’t bad, his efficiency was terrible, and he frequently hijacked possessions with ill-advised drives.
If P.J. continues this kind of play, the Mavericks have to seek out trade suitors for Washington.
Daniel Gafford: C
5 PTS / 4 REB / 3 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 25 MIN
It is not a hot take to say that Daniel Gafford is currently the worst center on the Mavericks roster.
Now, whether it due to injury, or a lack of Luka lobs, Gafford has simply been bad for most of this season. His usual effort and energy has not been felt, and his automatic shot making around the rim has abandoned him.
Until he can get fully healthy, the Mavericks should continue to give more minutes to both Moussa Cisse and Dwight Powell.
Caleb Martin: B
6 PTS / 11 REB / 2 AST / 1 STL / 2 BLK – 27 MIN
Perhaps the most shocking turnaround this season has been Caleb Martin, who has become a valuable role player for this team.
This game in particular showcased his defensive value, as he contributed 3 STOCKS, and was flying around all game long.
If the Mavericks choose to move off of some of their wing depth at the trade deadline, Martin seems poised to take on a larger role.
Max Christie: C
13 PTS/ 3 REB / 3 AST / 0 STL / 1 BLK – 29 MIN
The Cormac caravan has unfortunately ground to a halt due to Christie’s recent cold stretch.
The Mavericks desperately missed his shooting in this game, as he went only 1-7. This type of shooting from Christie usually spells doom for their chances, as there isn’t going to be shooting from many others on the roster.
Hopefully Christie can break out of his slump, because the Mavericks cannot survive without him.
Klay Thompson: B-
16 PTS / 3 REB / 1 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 27 MIN
With the trade deadline 1 week away, we may be approaching the final games for Klay Thompson in a Maverick uniform.
Klay was solid in this game, but his defense on Kon Knueppel left much to be desired, as the rookie sniper had plenty of success generating space.
If Klay does get traded, I have no doubt that he can still provide a spark of scoring off the bench.
Jan 29, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) shoots past Charlotte Hornets guard Collin Sexton (8) and Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) defends during the second half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The Dallas Mavericks lost a 123-121 heartbreaker to the Charlotte Hornets Thursday night in Dallas. Rookies Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel put on a hell of a show, combining to score 83 points.
Flagg had a career-high 49, while Knueppel had 34. There were times when this game was a literal duel between both superstar rookies, with Knueppel and Flagg trading baskets during a wild, back-and-forth second quarter. The Hornets were hot from deep, but as Dallas is prone to do, kept hanging around and making things competitive.
In the end Flagg had a chance to tie or take the lead in the final seconds, but his game-tying jumper was off at the buzzer. Dallas has now lost three in a row after winning four straight. Here are the numbers that stood out.
14-of-17: Cooper Flagg’s shooting in the paint
Obviously the number of the night is 49, Flagg’s point total, which was not only a career-high but checked some other impressive boxes:
Most points scored by a Mavericks rookie, breaking the 42 points Flagg previously scored in Utah earlier this season and the 42 points Mavericks legend Mark Aguirre scored in 1981. Because sports are great, of course this happened on the night the Mavericks retired Aguirre’s number and he was in attendance.
Most points scored by a teenager, surpassing then 19-year-old Cliff Robinson’s 45 points scored back in 1980.
So yes, this entire stats post could have been Flagg numbers. I wanted to pick a different one, so when I looked at his shot chart, my eyes widened: Flagg shot 14-of-17 in the paint. That is not a typo, do not adjust your screen. Flagg was a perfect 8-of-8 in the restricted area and an incredible 6-of-9 from the floater range.
Flagg got to 49 points with only three made 3-pointers and six made free throws. That’s unheard of in the modern NBA, where scoring outbursts are typically fueled by a wave of long-range bombs and foul drawing. This was the most ethical 49-point I’ve seen in a long time.
I don’t know what else to say. Flagg was incredible and deserved a win to celebrate the milestone.
20: Hornets made 3-pointers
So how did the Mavericks lose a game when Flagg goes bananas? Simple: they couldn’t make threes and the Hornets could.
Charlotte went 20-of-41 from three, while the Mavericks were a frigid 11-of-33 in comparison. A 27-point deficit from the three point line is almost literally impossible to overcome, so it was a miracle the Mavericks were so competitive in this game to begin with.
The Hornets three best players (LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Knueppel) combined for 17 of the 20 three pointers. Knueppel in particular was a flamethrower, making seven threes in the first half. Miller and Ball both hit huge threes in the final moments to help push Charlotte across the finish line.
Dallas did a lot of things well, but they couldn’t hit jumpers and they couldn’t keep the Hornets in front of them to shut off the water on their threes as well.
60: Points in the paint for Dallas
It’s remarkable how well the Mavericks score in the paint despite the fact that they are one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the NBA. Usually you need proper floor-spacing and court gravity to open up the driving lanes to score down low, but the Mavericks keep doing it night after night despite the bad shooting from three.
The Mavericks are top 10 in drives and points in the paint per game, mostly led by Flagg’s dogged determination to get to the rim as early and as often as possible. That playstyle has clearly been infectious, especially when Naji Marshall is on the floor as well (he was out for this game for rest).
I keep waiting for teams to just completely wall off the rim against the Mavericks and dare role players to make jumpers, but it just hasn’t reliably happened. Kudos to Klay Thompson for basically being one-man floor spacing, and his movement shooting has been nearly invaluable for the team.
A few notes as we get closer to Thursday’s NBA trade deadline...
As noted on Tuesday, the Knicks remain interested in New Orleans Pelicans’ guard Jose Alvarado. As Michael Scotto first mentioned on The Putback, New York also has interest in big man Yves Missi.
They can match salaries for Alvarado with Guerschon Yabusele or with two lower-salaried players (Pacome Dadiet and Jordan Clarkson, for example).
They can match salaries for Missi with a similar combination of contracts.
Logic tells you that Joe Dumars and New Orleans would seek draft compensation in either of those trades (or if both players are packaged together).
The Knicks have seven second-round picks at their disposal (that number increases to nine if you include their 2026 first-round pick from the Wizards, which will likely convey to two second-rounders).
The Knicks also have Naji Marshall on their radar, but at the moment, the consensus is that Dallas will be able to garner a better offer than New York’s for Marshall.
Speaking of better offers, several teams on Thursday saw the Knicks as on the outside looking in with regard to a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.
On @Honda SportsNite, @IanBegley joins @mmargaux8 from MSG after the Knicks' win over the Kings to discuss New York's three-game win streak, Karl-Anthony Towns sitting most of the 4th quarter, and Jrue Holiday trade rumors being linked to pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo pic.twitter.com/WBBotJunJE
The Knicks would obviously love to acquire Antetokounmpo; I’m sure they would aggressively pursue all available options to land Antetokounmpo.
But they don’t have the draft compensation to compete with other teams interested in Antetokounmpo. That list includes Miami, as noted Wednesday, and also reportedly includes Golden State and Minnesota.
ESPN reported on Wednesday that Milwaukee was open to listening to offers for Antetokounmpo ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline.
Those teams contacted on Thursday felt that Milwaukee was more interested in gauging the market for Antetokounmpo at the moment than actually pursuing a trade.
“They can just see what the market bears now; what can they get now that would be better than around the (2026) NBA Draft,” said one official with a team that can put together a strong offer for Antetokounmpo.
“The best thing for the Knicks is if this extends into the offseason.”
New York doesn’t have a tradeable first-round pick at the moment (the club can offer pick swaps in a trade).
In the offseason, the Knicks can trade as many as two first-round picks (in addition to pick swaps).
Maybe there is a third team willing to take one of the Knicks’ top players in exchange for future draft picks (San Antonio, perhaps)? But if that situation doesn’t materialize, it’s hard to see how the Knicks can cobble together a competitive offer for Antetokounmpo.
In a big-picture sense, Milwaukee is under no pressure to move Antetokounmpo ahead of the deadline. If the Bucks wait until the offseason, maybe they can make a move with their 2026 first-round pick that entices Antetokounmpo to stay? If not, the pool of teams able to make strong offers for Antetokounmpo only grows in the offseason. So it behooves Milwaukee to wait. (Yes, Antetokounmpo can get hurt if he returns to the court this season. But that seems like a calculated risk worth taking in order to get a better return for the face of your franchise.)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 27: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Milwaukee Bucks at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 27, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Bucks 139-122. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the NBA trade deadline less than a week away, surely you’re thinking it:
The Sixers better not duck the tax this year.
Over the past several seasons, the Sixers have made moves to dip below the NBA’s luxury tax. Some deals were less egregious, but last year’s salary-dumping of KJ Martin to the Detroit Pistons understandably drew the ire of fans. Not only did the team move on from Martin, a player who had a few bright moments here and was brought back on a balloon deal with bigger trade aspirations in mind, but they also attached two second-round picks in a cost-cutting move.
If you have concerns about the team making a similar move, you’re not alone. After the team’s 113-111 win over the Sacramento Kings Thursday, Joel Embiid made it clear he wants Daryl Morey and company to make improvements.
“Obviously, we’ve been ducking the tax past couple of years, so hopefully, we’ll keep the same team. I love all the guys that are here. I think we got a shot.
“I don’t know what they’re gonna do, but I hope we get a chance to just go out and compete because we’ve got a good group of guys in this locker room. The vibes are great. Like I said, in the past we’ve been I guess ducking the tax, so hopefully we think about improving because I think we have a chance.”
That quote is a big deal. Sure, Embiid has never been afraid to be outspoken, but when it comes to personnel decisions, he usually provides a diplomatic answer — something to the effect of, “That’s not my job” or “I trust those guys.” This felt like Embiid sending a clear message to the front office.
It’s a fair stance from Embiid, who dropped 37 against the Kings. All he’s done to get back to the level he’s currently playing is nothing short of remarkable. He’s also been available at a rate many weren’t expecting before the season started. The Sixers also find themselves in sixth in a seemingly wide-open East.
While backup center Andre Drummond is an obvious trade candidate, Kelly Oubre Jr. is another name that’s been floated out there. After starting the season strong, Drummond has mostly been supplanted by Adem Bona. It’s likely better for both sides to move on.
But Oubre is a different story. He’s fit well into the starting group, giving the team a spark on both ends. Of course, moving off his $8.3 million salary would go a long way to helping the tax bill, but it’s clear moving Oubre for a lesser player would not sit well with the big fella.
The quote was prompted by a question about continuity, something Embiid has said he’s craved in recent years. The Sixers’ roster upheaval has been … something during Embiid’s decade in Philadelphia. At this point, Oubre is Embiid’s longest-tenured teammate not named Tyrese Maxey. The veteran wing has always seemed to play well off the former MVP.
In referencing continuity, one wonders what Embiid thinks of the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes playing out. A report from NBA Insider Jake Fischer indicated the Greek Freak would have interest in playing with Maxey, putting the Sixers on his “radar.” A trade like that would surely mean multiple meaningful pieces going to Milwaukee, most notably Paul George for salary matching purposes.
It seems like what Embiid wants is meaningful improvement that doesn’t mess with the team’s core.
Sounds like the ball is in your court, Daryl Morey.
Jan 29, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Terance Mann (14) defends Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) in the first quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
On their road trip out in the wild, wild west, the tank-committed Brooklyn Nets went for their not-so-magnificent seventh loss in a row tonight. The Denver Nuggets, knocking on San Antonio’s door for the second seed in their respective conference, were eager to oblige. The deal looked jeopardized more than once, but eventually, everyone got what they needed.
Still, game no. 46 for Brooklyn offered more than a blunt exchange between two teams headed in opposite directions. It was also Michael Porter Jr.’s first game back in Denver, where he was drafted, spent the first six years of his career, and won an NBA championship. Scoring numbers, and emotions, were both high…
“I think it’s what he deserves,” Fernández said postgame of the crowd’s embrace for MPJ. “He’s been part of this club for, I think it’s seven years, and winning a championship here, this being your home for many years, I know this is a business, but for him, it means a lot, to the people here, from his teammates to the fans and everybody. else. They mean the world to him…So, you know, I think it’s very special.”
Porter Jr. had his whole family in the building tonight and wasted little time giving them something to cheer for. MPJ opened the game with 13 points in 10 first quarter minutes, helping the Nets lead by as many as five during the inaugural frame…
While the setting was second nature to Porter Jr., the cast around him wasn’t. Already shorthanded on talent, the Nets also went into this one with fewer bodies than usual. Noah Clowney (back), Cam Thomas (calf), and Egor Dëmin (plantar fascia) all sat out for injury management purposes. Ziaire Williams also missed the contest with a left calf contusion.
But while that stunted the game’s competitive ambiance, it did give us Nolan Traorè‘s first career start. Brooklyn’s second first rounder from the 2025 NBA Draft spent most of this season’s first half on Long Island, but has had the look of a pro since coming up. He dropped a career-high 21 points against the Boston Celtics last week and has his averages up to 5.8/2.7/1.2 on the season. He joined Porter to start the game alongside fellow rookie Danny Wolf, Nic Claxton, and Terance Mann.
Despite Porter Jr.’s early onslaught and Traoré game-breaking speed making an early entrance, the Nets trailed after one by a 30-26 score. Denver benefited from a 7-11 shooting start from beyond the arc, boosted by Tim Hardaway Jr.‘s 4-5 start as an individual.
Denver's bench has scored almost half of its 41 total points, thanks largely to Tim Hardaway Jr. (16 points) pic.twitter.com/sTsvrIYOBb
The three-point shot proved to be a double-edged sword in the second. At one end, Denver kept poking the Nets from afar, going 10-15 from three in the period. At the other, it lured them into empty possession after empty possession, with Brooklyn shooting 5-16 from there by halftime.
It was Hardaway again, pushing on that blade the most in the second. He went into the half with 19 points while shooting 7-8 from the field and 5-6 from deep. When he or others weren’t hitting from downtown, Jamal Murray was drawing doubles and finding his teammates for easy buckets.
The Net offense seemed almost nonexistent minus Porter, who waltzed into 20 first half points while shooting 7-13 from the field. Traoré did well penetrating Denver’s defense but his teammates struggled to finish off possessions both near and far from the rim. Nets not named Porter Jr. combined for just 17 points by the break.
The Nuggets began the second half with a comfortable 64-49 advantage, but the Nets wouldn’t let them stay settled for long. Brooklyn opened the third on a 16-4 run, fueled by some resurgent shooting from deep, tighter defensive rotations and a willingness to push in the full court. Within three minutes of play in third, the Nets were already within three (now say that three times fast).
With the game reaching its most exciting point, both teams of course then went scoreless for the next three and a half minutes. After that brief wait, the Nets eventually tied, boiling their extended run to 24-6, but Denver swung back with their primary weapon from the first half, with Hardaway canning another three soon after. The Nuggets were able to tread water after getting that lift from him, going into the fourth up by a 79-76 margin, also thanks in part to this fumble in the backfield by Ben Saraf…
Jordi Fernández started the fourth with a five featuring him, Sharpe, Jalen Wilson, Tyrese Martin, and Drake Powell. At first, old blood looked superior to the new, as ex-Net Bruce Brown put in a quick six points against that less experience lineup to keep his team ahead.
It wasn’t until just under the eight minute mark of the fourth when Porter Jr. came back in. After doing so, he immediately nailed his seventh three of the night, pushing his scoring total up to 34 by that point. His next bucket, which he earned for himself off a steal, came three minutes later and made it a tie game 90-90 with 5:55 to go.
And while Porter Jr. continued his big night, Traoré picked up the slack for the Net youth movement. The Brooklyn Bugatti gave his team exactly what it needed on both ends after checking in with 7:02 to play, battling for loose balls and plunging into the Nugget defense as if he were the 19th century gold miner.
Nolan Traoré growing up right before our eyes. Look at him directing traffic, finishing with a fadeaway.
Traoré eventually put the Nets up by two with 4:30 to go, giving them their first lead since since the score was 31-30.
“Keep doing what the team needs from you, and I think they both have done it,” Fernández said of Traoré and Wolf. “Nolan, touching the pain, get everybody organized, playing pick and roll. He looked like composed at all times.”
But unfortunately for Brooklyn, that made it crunch time, and that’s when no. 27 on the other team thrives. After that quick burst, Murray promptly scored or assisted on eight straight points for Denver. That gave his Nuggets a 100-94 lead with 1:48 remaining.
Both teams then went back and forth for a few possessions, including one that gave Porter Jr. a season high in scoring and an important stamp of validation for a “revenge” game. However, as time on the clock shrank, Denver’s lead never followed, and that made it a slow crawl to a loss for Brooklyn.
Once we got under a minute, the Nets only had enough tokens left for a run at the free throw game. Remember when Jonas Valančiūnas gave Paul Pierce x Kevin Garnett all they could handle in the first round of the 2014 NBA playoffs? Well, he’s playing in his 14th season right now, and stuck around to stick it to us one more time. He iced this one, making both his shots from the stripe to make it a four point game with just two seconds left.
“I think it was a good fight,” Fernández said postgame. “And at the end, obviously Jamal made some tough shots, but the fact that we were up two, or whatever it was, with two minutes to go, I’m proud of the guys who are playing winning basketball and competitive basketball.”
Porter Jr. finished with 38 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists while shooting 13-28 from the field and 7-15 from deep.
“Yeah, I think his effort, especially offensively, finishing cuts and being aggressive, that was awesome,“ Fernández said. ”Also with 10 rebounds, three assists, one turnover, very good line for him. I think he was that part of that third quarter that brought us back, and when he’s locked in defensively, with his size, keep bodies in front and rebounding, that’s when we had really good quarters. So, credit to the whole team. Mike did his job. We know how efficient he is.“
In the end, Porter Jr. got his flowers, perhaps even more respect, but the Nuggets got the win.
Final: Denver Nuggets 107, Brooklyn Nets 103
Milestone Watch
Porter Jr. had a season-high 38 points with 10 rebounds. It is tied as the third-most points in a game in his career (high of 39, twice). This is the first time in his career with 35+ points in back-to-back games and his 10th career 30-point double-double (third of the season).
Going 7-13 tonight and 6-10 from 3-point territory last time out at PHX (1/27), Porter Jr. is the 10th player in Nets history to make 6+ 3-pointers in back-to-back games.
Porter Jr. had his seventh 20-point half this season, which establishes his most in any career season (had six halves with 20+ points in 2024-25).
Injury Report
While Ziaire Williams’ injury certainly looked concerning when Traoré and Haywood Highsmith had to carry him off the floor on Tuesday, Jordi Fernández downplayed it pregame.
“Just a contusion,” Fernández said. “He won’t be ready for tonight obviously but it’s just day to day. The good thing is that it’s nothing major, it’s just not allowing him to play right now. Hopefully we’ll have him back soon.”
We’ll provide more updates as they come in on Williams. He’s already missed a handful of games this month with an illness.
Next Up
Brooklyn’s road trip takes them to Salt Lake City next, where the Nets will play their second and final game of the year vs the Utah Jazz. Brooklyn fell to them at home nearly two months ago despite a 29-point performance from Noah Clowney. If you’re staying in to watch this one, you’ll still have yourself a late Friday night. Out west, this game tips at 9:30 p.m. EST.
DENVER (AP) — Jamal Murray scored nine of his 27 points in the final 2:26, and the Nuggets spoiled Michael Porter Jr.'s return to Denver with a 107-103 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night.
Porter had a season-high 38 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Brooklyn, which has lost seven straight.
Tim Hardaway Jr. tied a season high with seven 3-pointers on his way to 25 points and Peyton Watson scored 19 for Denver, which snapped a three-game home losing streak.
Porter was drafted 14th overall by the Nuggets in 2018 and played six seasons in Denver, helping the franchise win its first NBA title in 2023. He was traded to Brooklyn in the offseason and leads the Nets in scoring.
The Nuggets honored Porter with a video tribute at the first timeout and he acknowledged the fans, who gave him a standing ovation.
Both teams had several players sitting with injuries. Denver was without four starters and Nets forward Ziaire Williams was sidelined with a left calf contusion suffered in a scuffle at the end of Tuesday’s loss at Phoenix.
Brooklyn erased a 15-point halftime deficit in the third quarter and trailed 79-76 heading into the fourth. The Nuggets built an 87-79 lead with 8:43 left but Porter’s steal and layup tied it at 90 midway through the period.
Nolan Traore’s layup gave the Nets their first lead since early in the game, but Murray hit a turnaround jumper, converted a three-point play and drained a pair of free throws in the final 2:26.
Leading 105-100, Watson fouled Terance Mann on a 3-point attempt with 4.4 seconds left. He made all three free throws but Jonas Valanciunas made a pair with 2.6 seconds left.
Up next
Nets: At Utah on Friday night.
Nuggets: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 29: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in the final seconds of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 29, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Kings 113-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer standings: Tyrese Maxey – 18 VJ Edgecombe – 6 Joel Embiid – 6 Paul George – 6 Andre Drummond – 2 Jared McCain – 2 Dominick Barlow – 1 Adem Bona – 1 Justin Edwards – 1 Quentin Grimes – 1 Kelly Oubre Jr. – 1 Trendon Watford – 1 15th roster spot – 1
The Sixers welcomed Western Conference foe the Sacramento Kings to South Philly for a Thursday night clash. Quentin Grimes was unavailable for the Sixers as he is dealing with an ankle injury. The Sixers came into the night sixth in the Eastern Conference standings.
The Sixers jumped out to an early 28-25 lead after the first quarter. The stars led the way early as Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey both made their presence felt early.
The Sixers extended the lead in the second quarter with more of the same from their two All-Stars. Embiid went 7-for-10 from the floor and poured in 19 first-half points. Maxey led the way for the Sixers with 23 points and just like his costar, went 7-for-10 from the field. DeMar DeRozan carried the load for the Kings with 21 first-half points of his own. The Sixers won the second period 32-29 to take a 60-54 lead to the halftime break.
The Kings took it to the Sixers in the third quarter in route to a 38-28 advantage in the period. A heavy dose of Dennis Schroder and Domantas Sabonis gave the Sixers a lot of trouble. Embiid and Maxey continued to carry the vast majority of the load for the Sixers. The Kings would take a 92-88 lead into the final frame.
The Kings took an 11-point lead with 7:30 minutes to go in the game before the Sixers came storming back, behind a steady diet of buckets from Embiid and Maxey, who continued their fantastic play as they had all night. A Maxey and-1 assisted by Embiid with 1.3 seconds to go would be the final nail in the Kings’ coffin. The Sixers won it, 113-111.
Joel Embiid: 37 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, 13-for-21 from the field, 10-for-13 FTs
Joel Embiid continued his dominant play with another monster performance. He displayed his special shot making and interior scoring arsenal from start to finish in this one. Embiid looks as healthy as he has in years, an extremely welcomed sight for all Sixers fans. His movement and activity have risen to levels many thought we would never see again, and his overall play has followed as he looks every bit like of one of the best players in the NBA.
Tyrese Maxey: 40 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 12-for-18 from the field, 4-for-9 from three, 12-for-13 FTs
Tyrese Maxey showed yet again why he was named an NBA All-Star starter. Maxey, who was coming off three below-average performances in a row for his standards, got back to his dynamic ways pouring in a 4o-piece bookended with the game-winning and-1 layup on a dish from Embiid. Maxey’s electric speed and deadly pull-up shooting continue to leave defenders in a heap and make him one of the toughest covers in basketball.
Jan 29, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) defends against Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Phoenix Suns have themselves quite the Villain. It was the Dillon Brooks show tonight in the Valley.
They are 29-19 and improve to 16-6 at home, and have taken down the top team in each conference now on their home floor, this time without Devin Booker. It was a tough, physical game against a hard-nosed Pistons squad that went on a furious third-quarter run to make it a game, but the Suns prevailed.
Dillon Brooks poured in a career-high 40 points on just 22 shots on his “Dillon the Villain” t-shirt night. Collin Gillespie video-bombed the postgame interview of Brooks to say, “We have two All-Stars on this team. Get your phones out and vote.”
Grayson Allen had 24 points and went a perfect 10 of 10 from the charity stripe. Collin Gillespie had 16 points and 5 rebounds on 5-11 shooting from three.
Game Flow
First Half
It was all Dillon Brooks early, as he poured in the Suns’ first 7 points of the game.
Collin Gillespie followed that up with a triple on his first shot attempt of the game to make it an early 10-9 Suns lead. It was raining threes early, with Gillespie knocking down a pair, followed by a Grasyon Allen snipe, leading to a Pistons timeout with Phoenix leading 18-13.
It was an uptempo start, with both teams pushing the pace early and often. Phoenix had a tough time containing Jalen Duren early, as he scored 10 points in the opening 7 minutes of action.
The fast-paced, physical quarter came to an end with Phoenix leading 35-31. Grayson Allen led the Suns with 12 points, and Dillon Brooks chipped in 9.
Grayson already with THREE 3-pointers midway through the first!
The Suns were winning all of the hustle plays early, and it didn’t hurt that the threes were falling. Phoenix pushed their lead to thirteen — 46-33 — with 9:23 left in the quarter, leading a Pistons timeout.
Dillon Brooks started to take over offensively and made sure to let everyone know about it afterward in true Dillon Brooks fashion.
The Suns continued to feed him as he got his total up to 24 points after a pair of free throws to push the Suns’ lead to 19.
Phoenix took a 72-56 lead into the half, backed by 24 first-half points from Dillon Brooks. Grayson Allen had 16, and Collin Gillespie had 10. The Suns shot 9 of 19 (47%) from deep, a sight for sore eyes after their recent shooting slump.
Second Half
The Pistons responded with a punch of their own early in the third, cutting the Suns lead down to 8 early in the third quarter after a Tobias Harris three.
A Cade Cunningham transition slam to make it a 77-70 ballgame led to a Jordan Ott timeout. The Pistons were on a furious 20-5 run over the opening five minutes. It’s safe to say the Pistons woke up after the Suns had their number in the first half.
Grayson Allen drilled a much-needed three off a Dillon Brooks offensive rebound and kickout to give the Suns a cushion. Phoenix started to answer back with another run of their own to push it back to a 10-point advantage.
Dillon Brooks continued his masterclass, drilling another triple to extend the Suns’ lead to 14, 91-77. He was knocking everything down, getting to the line, and chirping at the Pistons bench and anyone who would listen as he cooked multiple defenders.
Phoenix led 93-81 after three. Brooks had a career-high 38 points after the third to lead the Suns.
CAREER-HIGH 38 POINTS & COUNTING FOR THE VILLAIN 🔥🔥🔥
A pair of lazy turnovers to open the 4th quarter, followed up by a Collin Gillespie triple. The Pistons pushed the Suns back, but the Suns answered. It was another physical, scrappy contest, just as we saw in the first meeting between these teams in Detroit.
The Suns continued to pour it on and hit some daggers by Royce O’Neale and Collin Gillespie to put the finishing touches on a great night.
We are now 10 games above .500, folks!
Up Next
Right back at it tomorrow against the Cavs. Same time, same place.
DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 29: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket as Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets plays defense during the game on January 29, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Cooper Neill/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After pouring in 49 points on Thursday to will the Dallas Mavericks (19-29) back against the Charlotte Hornets (21-28), Cooper Flagg’s pass on Dallas’ final possession of the game was deflected by his former roommate at Duke, Kon Knueppel. Knueppel’s two free throws as Flagg hustled back to defend the ensuing fast break were the two decisive points in the Hornets’ 123-121 win over the Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Knueppel led the Hornets with 34 points and hit 8-of-12 from 3-point range in the win, but was somehow, some way outshined by the Mavericks’ magic man in Flagg’s performance for the record books: 49 points on 20-of-29 shooting and 10 rebounds in the heart-sinking loss for Dallas.
The Mavericks were lifeless against Knueppel and the visiting Hornets in the first quarter. Knueppel hit his first three attempts from long range before his Duke counterpart Flagg found any rhythm for the Mavs. All three of those 3-pointers came before the game was five minutes old. Knueppel was briefly outscoring the Mavericks on his own, as his fourth 3-ball of the game gave the Hornets a 14-8 lead midway through the first. Dallas shot just 7-of-20 from the field and Flagg scored just two points as the Mavs fell behind 33-20 after one.
Flagg picked up the slack with four points to open the second quarter, though, as part of a quick 8-0 Mavs run to start the frame. Then he slammed home a high-flying dunk over Moussa Diabate, before earning a three-point play on another drive through Brandon Miller to bring Dallas to within 37-31 with 9:40 left before the break. Flagg was on a mission in the second quarter, scoring 14 points in less than five minutes after Knueppel’s hot start to the first quarter.
Ryan Nembhard forced the tempo for the Mavs in the second quarter as well, finding both P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford on beautiful lob passes in transition in the first six minutes of the second quarter. The pretty lob to Gafford brought the Mavericks to within 44-38 of the lead with 6:35 left in the second.
Brandon Williams milked the clock on the Mavs’ final possession of the first half, then drove past Miller for a circus shot and a 3-point play with 11 seconds left on the clock to bring Dallas to within 59-58 at the interval. The Mavs shot 14-of-27 in the second and held Charlotte to 8-of-21 shooting at the same time, cutting a 13-point lead after one to just one point at halftime.
After a longer-than-normal halftime break for the jersey retirement ceremony honoring Mavericks franchise legend Mark Aguirre, Flagg scored his second 3-point play of the game on the other end after a missed transition dunk by Hornets forward Miles Bridges to keep Dallas within one possession of the lead. He pulled up for a jumper after slipping with the ball the next time down, but Knueppel nailed his sixth and seventh 3-balls of the game in the next minute to put Charlotte up 73-67 with 8:30 left in the third.
After Flagg poured in 15 more points in the third, Klay Thompson and Caleb Martin each knocked in crucial 3-pointers late in the third to tie the game, 93-93, heading to the fourth. The Mavs wrestled control of the game away from the Hornets early in the fourth, but a timely little 9-2 Charlotte run with Flagg resting moved them back in front, 105-102, with seven minutes to play.
Knueppel and Flagg traded driving buckets with four minutes left to play as the lead saw-sawed back and forth late in the game. Flagg’s drive gave him 44 points and a new Mavericks’ record for single-game scoring by a rookie — moving past, you guessed it, Aguirre, who was honored earlier in the evening.
Rookies battle for bragging rights
Knueppel won the first quarter by a mile in the Battle of Blue Devils over Flagg, but Flagg got the better of the second quarter. These two are the only two NBA rookies with a chance at Rookie of the Year honors this season, and coming into Thursday’s game, even the staunchest Mavs fans would have to admit that Knueppel was a hair in front of Flagg statistically through 48 games.
Whoever ends up winning the postseason award, these two rookies are both capable of taking a game over and putting on a show. You put them on opposite ends of things, and you can tell, it’s a little personal, but they’re both so cool and collected at the same time.
Knueppel hit his fifth 3-pointer of the game with just under five minutes left in the first half, then Flagg stepped back for his first of the game on the other end of the floor, with Knueppel defending him. The rookie studs had piled up 19 points apiece to that point. Flagg hit his second jumper over Knueppel with two minutes left in the first half, this time from just outside the elbow after a pump fake, a shot that looked eerily similar to Dirk Nowitzki’s patented one-legged fadeaway.
Flagg made mincemeat of the Hornets’ defense in the second quarter on his way to 23 points, the highest scoring quarter of his rookie campaign. It came within one point of Aguirre’s best quarter as a Maverick — he scored 24 in one quarter in 1983. Flagg’s 25 points in the first half was also a new season- and career-best output. While Knueppel shot 6-of-7 from the field in the first half on his way to 19 points to lead the Hornets, Flagg shot 8-of-9 from the field in the second quarter on his way to a game-high 25.
This little Coop-vs.-Kon in-game side quest was captivating. Flagg dove down the lane in transition for a leaning lay-in with five minutes left in the third to bring the Mavs to within 88-80 and give Flagg a game-high 36 points. He skied for a blocked shot inside while defending Diabate two possessions later. He scored a leaner in the lane over two Charlotte defenders with 2:55 left in the third to put him at 38, then scored the next time down over three defenders to get to 40 before the third quarter was out. The kid was a machine.
Flagg became just the fourth rookie since 2000 to score 40 points in two or more games, joining Blake Griffin, Donovan Mitchell and Anthony Edwards. He joined just Edwards (2) and LeBron James (3) to have more than one 40-point game before turning 20 years old.
Flagg tied his career-high scoring mark on a jumper over Miller with nine minutes left in the game that gave Dallas a 102-98 edge. After Flagg got to 44 late in the fourth, Knueppel scored four more points to put him at 32 for the night and pull the Hornets back in front, 113-110, with 3:18 left.
But Flagg saved his best move for the game’s final minute. After Miller canned an open 3-ball with :39 left on the clock to put the Hornets ahead 121-118, Flagg calmly brought the ball down, sized up the defender in front of him, and drilled his third on the other end with :34 left.
The supporting cast
Knueppel’s supporting cast was better around their rookie stud than Flagg’s Mavericks were for most of the game. Lamelo Ball made five of his first eight 3-point attempts in the game and scored 12 points in the third quarter in support of Knueppel to help Charlotte stay in front, despite Flagg’s scoring onslaught. Miller had his moments, too, in a 23-point performance.
Then, late in the third, a switch got flipped for the Mavs. Klay Thompson hit a big 3-pointer from five feet behind the top of the key with just under a minute left in the third to pull the Mavs to within 93-90, then Caleb Martin knocked in his first 3-ball of the game with 20 seconds left in the period to tied the game, 93-93, headed to the fourth.
Thompson knocked in another 3-pointer on the Mavs’ first possession of the fourth quarter, giving the Mavericks a brief 96-93 lead and adding to a 23-9 Dallas run that started late in the third. He made a nice back-cut a minute later to put the Mavs ahead 98-96, then Williams leaked out in transition and scored over Diabate to give the Mavericks a four-point edge and force a Hornets’ timeout with 9:54 left to play.
Max Christie’s runner in the lane brought Dallas to within 113-112 with 2:50 left in the game. The next time down, Christie missed on a tough driving attempt, but Gafford gathered in the offensive board and got fouled going up. His 1-of-2 trip to the line tied the game, 113-113. After Ball’s 3-pointer from the left wing and a goaltend on Flagg’s next driving attempt, the Hornets held a 116-115 lead with less than two minutes on the clock.
Christie came alive down the stretch after an off game for the first three quarters. Washington found him on a good ball reversal for his first 3-point make of the game to tie the game, 118-118, with 1:01 left.
Aguirre honored
The night on the floor belonged to Flagg and Knueppel, but at halftime, the Mavericks retired Mark Aguirre’s No. 24 jersey in a ceremony featuring teammates Derek Harper and Rolondo Blackman as well as words from Magic Johnson, whom Aguirre battled in the 1986-87 Western Conference Finals, and Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki. Longtime friend and teammate with the Detroit Pistons after Aguirre’s eight seasons in Dallas, Isaiah Thomas was interviewed during the game broadcast, giving Aguirre credit for getting those Pistons’ teams over the hump on their way to two NBA Championships in the late 1980s.
“Mark and I grew up literally three or four blocks from each other, never ever thinking or dreaming that we would be professional NBA basketball players,” Thomas said during the ceremony. “We just liked playing basketball together. Without Mark Aguirre coming to the Pistons, we never win an NBA Championship. So, Rolondo, Harp, thank you for my Hall-of-Fame friend.”
Aguirre was helped to the podium by Harper and Blackman, who stood by his side as Aguirre delivered his halftime address to the crowd at AAC. It was nice to see an infusion of goodwill into that building after the year the franchise has had since … well, never mind. It was just good to see the franchise’s first No. 1 overall draft pick have his legacy as a Mavericks hero cemented with his jersey number being pulled up into the rafters.
“In 1980, these two guys right here went to bat for me,” Aguirre said of Harper and Blackman. “Thank you for letting us represent you. Dallas is an incredible NBA city.”
