archiveNBA Rookie of the Year

DHJ Quick Take The Reality of 19: In a candid April 1 appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Cooper Flagg pulled back the curtain on the isolation of being the NBA’s youngest player, trading the Duke dorms for a quiet life of "chilling by myself" in Dallas. Adulting in the...

DHJ Quick Take Trial by Fire: In a candid April 1 appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Cooper Flagg admitted he didn't expect to be the Dallas Mavericks' primary engine so soon, citing the team's relentless injury luck as the catalyst. Historic Playmaking: Despite being "thrown into the fire," Flagg...

DHJ Quick Take Mental Toll: Appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, Cooper Flagg admitted the transition from winning at Duke to a 24-52 season with the Dallas Mavericks has been "mentally taxing." Historic Pace: Despite the team’s struggles, Flagg is averaging 20.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, joining LeBron...

DHJ Quick Take The Physical Education: Minnesota brought a playoff-caliber defensive blueprint to Dallas, using extreme physicality to hold Cooper Flagg to a tough 5-of-19 shooting night in the 124-94 loss. Teammate Support: Brandon Williams notched seven assists and even passed up an open layup to lob an alley-oop to...

DHJ Quick Take Historic Half: Cooper Flagg erupted for 20 points in the first 19 minutes against the Portland Trail Blazers—his 11th career 20-point half, which is more than the rest of this year's rookie class combined, per Elias Sports Bureau. Rhythm Restored: Flagg acknowledged the difficulty of rediscovering his...

DHJ Quick Take Brotherhood First: Despite being the frontrunners for Rookie of the Year (ROTY), Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel do not discuss the award race, focusing instead on supporting each other’s transition to the NBA. Portland Statement: Flagg dominated the first half against the Trail Blazers, scoring 20 of...

When Cooper Flagg scored 49 points against the Charlotte Hornets on Jan. 29 — the most by a teenager in NBA history — Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel admitted afterward that his former Duke teammate might have taken the Rookie of the Year lead. Eight games later, with Flagg sidelined by...

The Charlotte Hornets have won four straight by double digits. The Dallas Mavericks have won two of their last 15. The difference in trajectory is hard to miss, and Tuesday night at Spectrum Center is likely to reflect it. Charlotte has climbed to 30-31 and into the Eastern Conference playoff...

Cooper Flagg is out Tuesday night against the Charlotte Hornets, but Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd made clear before the game that a return is coming. Flagg has been sidelined since Feb. 10 with a left midfoot sprain, missing nine consecutive games while the Mavericks have gone 2-13 over that...

The most anticipated head-to-head matchup of the Dallas Mavericks' six-game road trip may not happen. Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick and Rookie of the Year frontrunner, is listed as doubtful for Tuesday's game at the Charlotte Hornets — an upgrade from out, but still a designation that typically...