"Seen Y'all Kon Knueppel Tweets and Locked In": NBA Fans Hyped as Cooper Flagg Has Insane Breakout Game vs Zion Williamson's Pelicans

Cooper Flagg led the Dallas Mavericks to a 118-115 win against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. The No. 1 pick of the 2025 draft scored a career-high 32 points to drag his team past Zion Williamson and Co. in the NBA Cup. Flagg added seven rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Fans reacted to his performance:

“Cooper Flagg seen y'all Kon Knueppel tweets and locked in lol.”

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One fan said:

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Kon Knueppel’s inclusion in the reactions to Flagg’s outstanding performance was unsurprising. The Charlotte Hornets forward, drafted No. 4, has been off to a sizzling start. Knueppel improved his averages from 13.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game last month to 20.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg and 3.6 apg. For the season, Flagg’s former Duke teammate is hitting 47.3% of his shots, including 40.3% from deep.

Cooper Flagg has also taken his game to a higher level since last month. He averaged 13.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 2.8 apg. The 6-foot-9 forward is putting up 16.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg and 3.3 apg in November. Without Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, limited to five games, Flagg has been carrying the Dallas Mavericks.

Kon Knueppel’s role with the Charlotte Hornets has also increased, even with LaMelo Ball playing. The comparisons between him and Flagg aren’t likely to stop as the season progresses.

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Fourth-quarter duel between Cooper Flagg and Zion Williamson highlighted Mavs-Pelicans showdown

Zion Williamson, the No. 1 pick of the 2019 NBA draft, returned from an eight-game absence to lead the New Orleans Pelicans. The ultra-athletic former Duke superstar tallied 22 points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists. “Zanos” was particularly deadly in the fourth quarter to nearly lead the Pelicans to a win.

Williamson did his biggest damage in the final 12 minutes when he scattered 10 points and three steals. He caused the Mavericks trouble despite the home team’s double teams.

The Pelicans might have gotten away with a win if not for Cooper Flagg, who was all over the floor in the final frame. Flagg had 12 points, three assists and one steal.

When Zion Williamson made two free throws to extend New Orleans’ lead to 115-111, Flagg answered with a 10-footer. After exchanging scoreless possessions, the rookie fed Naji Marshall for a 3-pointer that gave the Mavs a 116-115 advantage.

Following a miss from Jeremiah Fears, Cooper Flagg secured the rebound, which forced the Pelicans to foul Max Christie. The former LA Lakers guard nailed two free throws before Dallas’ defense prevented the Pelicans from forcing overtime.

Edited by Michael Macasero