Cooper Flagg Now Favored To Win Major Award Following Two Incredible Performances

Coming into the 2025/26 NBA regular season, the overwhelming expectation was that Cooper Flagg would be the best rookie in the league after he was selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft. For the most part, he's been absolutely dominant, and has already solidified himself as the next face of the Mavericks following on in the footsteps of Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic.

However, him being named Rookie of the Year was not a foregone conclusion this season due to the play of Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel, who himself has been fantastic in leading that team to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. In the past few days however, Flagg has been incredible, posting 51 and 45 points in his last two games against the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic, and as a result, he's now officially favored to win the award in 2025/26.

As a result, Flagg now averages 21 points, 7 rebound and 5 assists per game, and with the Mavericks needing a star to lead them forward through this tough period, he's shown that he can be all that and more for the organization.

Simply put, Flagg is one of the most impressive rookies in NBA history, and he's proven that time and time again throughout the 2025/26 season, and while some still believe Knueppel is deserving of the Rookie of the Year award, as of right now, Flagg is once again favorite.