Flagg & Knueppel Reign: NBA Rookie Ladder – February Update
- Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks has surged back to the No.
- Flagg and Knueppel have both been named Kia NBA Western and Eastern Conference Rookies of the Month for January, a feat not accomplished by two players simultaneously since...
- The Mavericks forward has been carrying a team dealing with injuries, showcasing a level of play beyond his 19 years.
Flagg Reclaims Rookie Ladder Top Spot as Race with Knueppel Heats Up
Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks has surged back to the No. 1 position in the Kia Rookie Ladder, , after a string of impressive performances. The shift comes as Flagg and Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel continue to dominate the Rookie of the Year conversation, mirroring a dynamic seen seven years prior with Luka Dončić and Trae Young.
Flagg and Knueppel have both been named Kia NBA Western and Eastern Conference Rookies of the Month for January, a feat not accomplished by two players simultaneously since the 2018-19 season when Dončić and Young each secured three consecutive monthly awards.
Recent Dominance Fuels Flagg’s Rise
The Mavericks forward has been carrying a team dealing with injuries, showcasing a level of play beyond his 19 years. In his last three games – against the Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets, and Boston Celtics – Flagg averaged 36 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists while shooting 57.7% from the field. He became the first teenager in NBA history to score 30 or more points in three consecutive games.
Flagg now has six 30+ point games this season, compared to Knueppel’s four, and the rest of the 2025 draft class combined has only four.
Knueppel Remains a Force
Despite relinquishing the top spot on the Rookie Ladder, Kon Knueppel continues to have a stellar season for the Hornets. Charlotte has won seven games in a row and holds a 12-6 record in 2026. Knueppel is averaging 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.
Knueppel is on pace to break the NBA rookie record for most 3-pointers in a season, currently holding 166 through 50 games. The current record is 206, set by Keegan Murray.
A Rivalry Brews
The head-to-head matchup between Flagg and Knueppel on was a thrilling contest, with the two former Duke teammates combining for 83 points. Knueppel scored 34 points in the game, while Flagg added 49 points. The game was decided in the final seconds, with Knueppel’s free throws securing the win for Charlotte.
Both players expressed mutual respect for each other after the game, a sentiment echoed throughout the league. Their next scheduled matchup is in Charlotte, a game that could significantly impact the Rookie of the Year race.
Rookie Ladder Standings – Week of February 4, 2026
- Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks (20.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 4.2 apg)
- Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets (18.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.6 apg)
- VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers (14.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.3 apg)
- Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans (12.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 4.3 apg)
- Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies (13.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.9 apg)
- Egor Dëmin, Brooklyn Nets (10.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.3 apg)
- Caleb Love, Portland Trail Blazers (11.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.7 apg)
- Maxime Raynaud, Sacramento Kings (9.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.0 apg)
- Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs (10.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.5 apg)
- Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz (11.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.6 apg)
The current rookie class is notable for its depth, with eight lottery picks featured in the top 15 of the Rookie Ladder.
Rising Coaches at All-Star Weekend
San Antonio Spurs coach Mitch Johnson has been selected as one of the coaches for the USA vs. International tournament at All-Star Weekend, a rare honor for a first-year head coach. Johnson took over the Spurs five games into the 2024-25 season following the departure of Gregg Popovich.
The Rookie of the Year race between Flagg and Knueppel continues to captivate fans and analysts alike, promising a thrilling finish to the season.