The Hornets are doing something only two other NBA teams in history have done.

Charlotte Hornets wing Kon Knueppel heaped praise on fellow rookie Cooper Flagg on Thursday night following the Hornets' 123-121 win over the Mavs.

Hornets announcer’s bold call backfires instantly as Cooper Flagg erupts for 49 points, silencing critics in viral video.

The two Duke rookies battled it out on Thursday night.

Hornets' LaMelo Ball joins list of NBA legends after hitting career milestone originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The majority of the hype surrounding the matchup between the Charlotte Hornets and Dallas Mavericks has involved rookie standouts Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg.

Former Duke basketball stars Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel set career highs in first NBA matchup, make game-deciding play as the Hornets beat the Mavs.

After pounding the Memphis Grizzlies 112-97 at FedEx Forum on Wednesday night, the Hornets are in the midst of their longest winning streak in two years and coming together at just the right time: with less than a week remaining before the NBA trade deadline next Thursday.

View news about the Charlotte Hornets vs. Dallas Mavericks game played on January 29, 2026 including player news, injury news, predictions, analysis and more.

Charlotte's optionality could lead to an active trade deadline.