Draymond Green dared Kon Knuepel Rookie of the Year
NBA The Rookie of the Year race looks like a battle between the two playerss right now; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg and Charlotte Hornets wing Knuppel could. While the race is likely close, especially when it comes to overall production, the Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green believes that there is one situation in which Knuepel can separate from Flagg.
During a recent episode of Green’s podcast, ‘The Draymond Green Show,’ the Warriors vet presented the scenario in which Kon Knueppel leads the Hornets to a playoff run, and how that would elevate him in the ROI race over Flagg.
“I think Rookie of the Year comes down to these two guys. I think the way Conn plays and how vital he is. The other night, Cooper Flagg was 49 on 29 (shooting). Conn Knueppel was 34 on 8-of-12 from three,” Green said. “The way he’s playing and how that team is coming into the game, that’s got to solidify Conn as Rookie of the Year.”
“I think this battle comes down to the wire. It’s going to be fought over these last 30 games to end the season,” Green continued. “I still stand by my predictions from before, I still think Conn comes home with it, but it was good to see that battle between two young college teammates … to see them battle it out like that in the NBA in their rookie year, which is definitely a sign of things to come for those two guys as they progress in their careers.”
The former Duke teammates pitted against each other last Thursday, when Knuppel’s Hornets defeated Flagg’s Mavericks, 123-121. Flagg recorded a record 49 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and one block. Knuepel had 34 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal.
As of now, Flagg leads all rookies in scoring with 19.8 ppg. Knuppel is right behind him with 18.8. As for Green, the Hornets are one-and-a-half games out of 10th place in the Eastern Conference, coming into the game with a six-game winning streak. The Mavericks have lost four straight games and are slipping away from a playoff spot.
2026-02-02 20:17:00
