Kon Knueppel is making a strong push for Rookie of the Year, alongside Cooper Flagg.
Flagg scored 49 points against the Charlotte Hornets on Jan. 29. Knueppel admitted that Flagg might have gained the upper hand in their Rookie of the Year race after that game.
“I think he might jump me,” Knueppel said postgame.
Flagg’s Injury Boosts Knueppel’s Chances
The Mavericks’ slide down the Western Conference standings has continued. Flagg has spent the last three weeks recovering from a left foot sprain and missed an eighth straight game on Tuesday.
Knueppel scored 13 points in the Hornets’ win and has now played 12 more games than Flagg. Knueppel’s availability and strong play for the surging Hornets has made the possibility of beating Flagg for the Rookie of the Year award start to feel real.
“I don’t even think it’s close,” Hornets coach Charles Lee said. “(Kon) probably would be mad at me for saying something like that, because he just wants to focus on our team winning games and impacting games any way he possibly can.”
Knueppel’s Impressive Stats
Knueppel set the NBA rookie record for 3s made in a season with 22 games remaining. Knueppel is a 44 percent 3-point shooter. His 212 made 3-pointers are 15 more than the next-closest player, Tyrese Maxey.
- Knueppel is shooting 56 percent on 2-point shots.
- He ranks fourth on the Hornets in rebounding and assists.
Lee credits Knueppel’s upbringing for his mature game. As a kid, Knueppel’s father had his son join him for pickup games playing against grown men.
“Going to the men’s league with his dad and having to fit in on the court and not get kicked off,” Lee said. “When you are that young, you just have to figure out how to fit in. How do I stay competitive?”
Flagg’s Potential Return
If Knueppel has regained the upper hand in the Rookie of the Year race, there is still time for Flagg to get it back. Flagg went through a light on-court workout before Tuesday’s game.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd anticipates Flagg playing in a “game or two” on the team’s road trip. The road trip includes stops against the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies.
In the 49 games Flagg has played, he is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks. Flagg ranks 12th in the N.