Kon Knuppel’s take on the ROI race with Cooper Flagg

Charlotte Hornets‘ Knuppel could got a chance to catch up with his former Duke teammate and Mavericks Rookie of the Year candidate Cooper Flagg. Knuppel strengthened his case for ROI against Flagg in a 123-121 Hornets win. Conn erupted for eight 3-pointers, helping the Mavericks to a two-point victory. He finished with 34 points.

Knuppel looked back on what it was like face off against his former college teammate in the NBA for the first time, in the middle of their Rookie of the Year race, per NBA on Prime.

“It was really fun, obviously. He plays at a really high level, and he played a great game against us. But it’s always good to compete against him,” Knueppel said. “It kind of brought me back to working out at Duke, and it was really great to see him.

Has Knuppel talked to Flagg about their current ROI race?

“Not really,” Knueppel replied. “We talked a little bit before the game. We talked about maybe catching up during the All-Star break. I’ll catch him there for the Rising Stars. Maybe go to Duke for the game. So, not a lot of banter about it. We didn’t get to really talk after the game, really disappointing.”

Kon Knueppel on what it’s like to battle fellow rookie and former Duke teammate Cooper Flagg in the ROTI Race 🗣 pic.tvitter.com/VnV1ZKSMkOa

— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) January 31, 2026

While Cooper Flagg held a steady lead for this year’s Rookie of the Year award, Knuepel has become one of the NBA’s leading 3-point shooters, trailing Golden State Warriors All-Star Stephen Curry (175) and Cleveland Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell (172) with 162 in Season 3. He is averaging 18.8 points on 48.6% shooting, including 42.7% from deep. in 7.7 attempts and 5.4 rebounds this season.

Both Duke products will participate in the Rising Stars competition at this year’s All-Star Weekend in February.

Kon Knuppel’s historic rookie score in Hornets win

Doc LaMelo Ball passed the 2,000 career assist markRookie Kon Knuepel’s eight three-pointers made Hornets franchise history. Knueppel’s eight three-pointers set a franchise recordaccording to Hornets PR X, formerly Twitter.

“With 8 15:00 so far in tonight’s DAL game, Kon Knueppel set the franchise record for 15:00 in a single game, breaking the previous record set by five different players, including himself at No. 23, in 2025. Knueppel broke into the top 10 for most 15:00 in a first season PR,” the Hornet reported.

Knuepel and the Hornets are on a six-game winning streak.