Former Duke teammates are now battling for NBA Rookie of the Year in a race that won’t be decided until the final days

admin_news admin_news
Apr 4, 2026 - 22:00
0 0
Former Duke teammates are now battling for NBA Rookie of the Year in a race that won’t be decided until the final days

Former Duke teammates are now battling for NBA Rookie of the Year in a race that won’t be decided until the final days originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Not long ago, Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel were sharing the floor for Duke Blue Devils, building something that felt inevitable. That season ended in the NCAA Finals Four.

They were the future, two elite talents on the same roster, each playing off the other. Now, that future has split in two different directions, and somehow, it has brought them right back together.

The 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year race has turned into a head-to-head battle between former teammates, and it’s coming down to the final stretch of the season. There’s no clear runaway favorite anymore. Instead, it feels like every game, every performance, and every moment is shifting the conversation.

And then came last night.

Cooper Flagg just changed the conversation again

Playing for the Dallas Mavericks, Flagg delivered the kind of performance that forces everyone to stop and pay attention. He dropped 51 points, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to reach the 50-point mark. It wasn’t just the number; it was how it happened. Flagg poured in 24 points in the fourth quarter, taking over the game even as it slipped away from Dallas.

This wasn’t a one-off. It’s what his rookie season has looked like from the start, a series of explosive nights that remind you how rare his talent is. His case is built on moments that feel bigger than the box score.

Flagg’s rookie resume already includes:

  • Multiple 40-point games

  • A 49-point performance earlier this season

  • Now a historic 51-point outing

  • Being the clear focal point of Dallas’ offense every night

But there’s still a gap that voters can’t ignore. The Dallas Mavericks haven’t turned those performances into consistent wins, and that continues to shape how his season is viewed.

More: Luka Doncic injury suddenly shifts everything for Lakers at worst possible time

Kon Knueppel has built his case differently

While Flagg has been delivering highlight moments, Knueppel has been building something steadier with the Charlotte Hornets. His case for Rookie of the Year isn’t built on one night. It’s built on the full body of work.

Knueppel is averaging close to 19 points per game while shooting over 43 percent from three, and he’s doing it with a level of efficiency that has already rewritten parts of the NBA record book. His impact shows up in the flow of the game, in the spacing he creates, and in the consistency he brings.

His season stands out for a different set of reasons:

  • Fastest player in NBA history to reach multiple three-point milestones

  • Rookie record for most three-pointers in a season

  • Broke a franchise record previously held by Kemba Walker

  • Leading a Hornets team will be in no worse than the play-in round.

He may not have a 50-point night, but he’s been one of the most reliable players in the league from day one.

A shared past that makes this race even better

What makes this race feel bigger is the connection between the two. These aren’t just two rookies putting up numbers. They were teammates, part of the same system, chasing the same goals not long ago.

Flagg was the headline name, the No. 1 overall pick and the player everyone expected to take over the league quickly. Knueppel was right there with him, proving he could do more than just complement, showing flashes of becoming a star in his own right.

When they matched up earlier this season, it told the entire story in one night. Knueppel scored 34 and won. Flagg went for 49 and lost. It wasn’t about who played better. It was about what mattered more.

This is what makes the decision so difficult

At this point, the Rookie of the Year race isn’t just about stats. It’s about how you define value. Flagg has moments that make you stop everything and watch. Performances like his 51-point night feel rare, even in today’s NBA. He looks like a future superstar and, at times, already plays like one.

Knueppel has built something just as compelling, just in a different way. He’s efficient, consistent, and winning. Night after night, he’s helping his team move forward, and he’s doing it without needing the spotlight to prove his impact. With only a few games left, there may not be a clean answer. One player has the highlights. The other has the results.

Two former teammates. One award. And a finish that feels like it’s going to come down to the final vote.

More NBA news:

Read More