DraftKings has installed Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg as the new frontrunner for NBA Rookie of the Year after the 19-year-old delivered back-to-back scoring explosions that totaled 96 points.
Flagg’s odds moved to -250 on Sunday night, eclipsing Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel, who slipped to +180. Knueppel had opened the weekend as a -300 favorite.
Historic two-game stretch
The swing came after Flagg followed a teen record 51-point outing in Friday’s loss to the Orlando Magic with 45 points, nine assists, eight rebounds, two steals and a block in Sunday’s 134-128 home win over the Los Angeles Lakers. According to ESPN Research:
- He is the first rookie since Allen Iverson—and the only teenager ever—to average at least 45 points, five rebounds and five assists over two straight games.
- He joins Hall of Famer Walt Bellamy (1962) and Wilt Chamberlain as the only rookies with consecutive 45-point performances.
- Flagg now owns three of the four 45-point games by a teenager in league history. The other players with at least three 45-point rookie games are Bellamy, Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Earl Monroe and Lew Alcindor.
“I think it’s definitely some sort of statement,” Flagg said after Sunday’s win. “I’m confident in myself, and I know what I’m capable of.”
Season résumé
Through 78 games, Flagg leads all rookies with 20.8 points per game, ranks third in rebounds (6.6) and is second in assists (4.5) behind teammate Ryan Nembhard. Since the ABA-NBA merger, only Larry Bird, Jordan, Luka Doncic and Flagg have averaged at least 20 points, six rebounds and four assists as rookies.
Knueppel is averaging 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists while setting a rookie record with 265 made three-pointers for the 43-36 Hornets.
Reactions around the league
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, sporting a T-shirt that read “AIN’T NO PRESSURE,” said Flagg is simply maintaining his season-long form. “Being able to do it on national television, it’s not easy, especially coming off a 50-ball,” Kidd noted.
Veteran forward P.J. Washington praised the teenager’s versatility: “He makes shots at all three levels, can facilitate, rebound, play defense. He’s a jack of all trades—and he’s 19.”
Lakers star LeBron James, who tallied 30 points, nine rebounds and 15 assists Sunday, called Flagg “special,” recalling watching him dominate AAU circuits. “The league is in good hands with those rookies,” James added, citing fellow first-year players VJ Edgecombe, Dylan Harper and Knueppel.
Dallas sits at 25-53, while the injury-hit Lakers played without Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) in their first game since both went down.
Source: ESPN
