Hornets Edge Mavericks 123-121 Behind Knueppel's 34 Points

Hornets Survive Wild Finish in Dallas

Charlotte narrowly escaped Dallas with a thrilling 123-121 victory on Thursday night. The game showcased two emerging stars putting on an impressive display. Rookie Kon Knueppel led the Hornets with a career-high performance while Cooper Flagg responded with an outstanding night for Dallas.

Knueppel Takes Over

The fourth overall pick from Duke delivered his best game so far. Knueppel scored 34 points with exceptional shooting accuracy, connecting on 62.5% of his shots during 36 minutes on the court. His smooth jumper consistently found nothing but net.

The young guard-forward looked like a seasoned star as he attacked the basket with remarkable confidence. He also pulled up from long range whenever defenders backed off. Charlotte's lottery pick is clearly establishing himself as a contender in discussions about the league's top rookies.

Flagg Battles Despite Loss

Cooper Flagg was determined to keep Dallas in the game. The number one pick erupted for 49 points, shooting an impressive 69%. He also grabbed 10 rebounds and played tirelessly for 38 minutes. His long arms allowed him to finish at the rim with authority, while his agile footwork created space for smooth jumpers.

However, the Mavericks have now lost five games in a row. Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis remained sidelined due to injuries. Klay Thompson contributed 16 points but was unable to provide enough support.

Balanced Attack for Charlotte

LaMelo Ball directed the offense with 22 points and nine assists, showcasing his passing skills with impressive no-look passes that found open teammates throughout the game. Brandon Miller added 23 points and six rebounds, while Miles Bridges nearly achieved a triple-double with 17 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds.

Charlotte jumped out to a 33-20 lead after the first quarter, but Dallas fought back to tie the game at 93 after three quarters of play. The final period transformed into a competitive back-and-forth battle, and Charlotte managed to make just enough critical plays down the stretch.

The Hornets improved to 21-28 as they continued their pursuit of a playoff spot.