Dallas: The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 123-121 on Thursday night in a thrilling showdown between former college roommates.
Rookie Cooper Flagg scored a career-high 49 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and shot 20 of 29 from the field (3 of 5 from three), setting a new record for most points ever by a teenager in NBA history. He surpassed Nets rookie Clifford T. Robinson’s 45-point mark set against the Pistons on March 9, 1980, and became the youngest player in NBA history to tally 40+ points and 10+ rebounds in a game. Flagg is also the first rookie since Trae Young in 2019 to reach 40 points in a contest.
Despite Flagg’s historic night, Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel scored 34 points (career-high), added 4 rebounds, and hit 8 three-pointers, setting a new Hornets rookie record and securing the win. Knueppel’s decisive play came with seven seconds remaining when he intercepted a Flagg pass, drove to the basket, and drew a foul as the ball lodged between the rim and backboard. Flagg’s final attempt to tie the game rimmed out.
Brandon Miller added 23 points and LaMelo Ball contributed 22, including six 3-pointers, helping Charlotte complete a road back-to-back sweep. Klay Thompson scored 16 points off the bench for Dallas, who have lost three straight at home following a four-game winning streak.
The game also featured a halftime ceremony honoring Mark Aguirre, the fifth player in franchise history to have his jersey retired.
76ers 113, Kings 111
Tyrese Maxey scored 40 points, including the winning layup with 1.3 seconds remaining, and Joel Embiid added 37 as Philadelphia rallied from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Sacramento. Paul George contributed 15 points, while Dennis Schroder scored 27 for the Kings, who lost their seventh straight game.
Heat 116, Bulls 113
Norman Powell had 21 points and Bam Adebayo recorded 20 points and 12 rebounds as Miami held off a late Chicago rally. Ayo Dosunmu led the Bulls with 23 points, cutting the deficit to one in the final seconds before Miami held on.
Wizards 109, Bucks 99
Kyshawn George scored 23 points and Alex Sarr added 16 points and 17 rebounds as Washington defeated Milwaukee. Giannis Antetokounmpo missed his second straight game due to a calf strain. The Bucks dropped their fourth consecutive game.
Rockets 104, Hawks 86
Kevin Durant scored 31 points as Houston dominated a short-handed Atlanta team. Jabari Smith finished with 14 points and Reed Sheppard added 13. Atlanta was without key frontcourt players due to injuries.
Suns 114, Pistons 96
Dillon Brooks scored a career-high 40 points as Phoenix beat Eastern Conference leaders Detroit. Grayson Allen added 24 points. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 26 points in defeat.
Nuggets 107, Nets 103
Jamal Murray scored 27 points, including nine in the final 2:26, as Denver defeated Brooklyn. Michael Porter Jr. scored 38 points in his return to Denver, but the Nets lost their seventh straight game.
Source: NBA, Sportsnet
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