Several fans believe Kon Knueppel lost the 2025-26 Rookie of the Year race because of a key decision from Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee during Tuesday’s play-in game against the Miami Heat.
Knueppel came into the contest as the most prolific three-point shooter in the entire NBA this season. But his shot just wasn’t falling in the do-or-die contest at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C.
The Duke alum had just six points on 2/12 shooting midway through the fourth quarter when Lee decided to pull the plug. Knueppel was benched for the final 7:49 of regulation and all five minutes of overtime, where the Hornets escaped with a 127-126 victory.
Fans were vocal on social media about Knueppel’s benching, arguing that it was clear evidence that Cooper Flagg was the more deserving Rookie of the Year. Many claimed Flagg would never be benched by his Dallas Mavericks in a similar situation.
cooper flagg definitely wouldn’t be on the bench in this situation 🫢
— gpaul (@gpdejesuss) April 15, 2026
Cooper Flagg won rookie of the year tonight and his season’s been over for 47 hours already https://t.co/2d0pvgh5oF
— Bruno Starzz Drive (@getsit) April 15, 2026
This is not a knock on Kon whatsoever because he has been way better than I thought he would be, but do you think Cooper Flagg would be stuck on the bench in the 4Q and OT of an elimination game?
— Ben W. (@BigBenTCU) April 15, 2026
The “favorite” to win ROTY got benched in the 4th and OT…Cooper Flagg would never
— Zach (@zachjuarez_16) April 15, 2026
Even Mavericks reporter Brad Townsend couldn’t help but comment something similar.
We’ll never know because the Mavs were nowhere close to a play-in, but I can’t imagine Cooper Flagg spending OT on the bench.
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) April 15, 2026
While it’s likely true that the Mavericks would never have sat Flagg in a similar situation, it’s partly because Charlotte simply has more talent than Dallas. The Hornets won 18 more games than the Mavs during the regular season, partly because of the depth that enables them to thrive even when one of their key players — Knueppel included — is struggling.
On the other hand, Flagg is also much more of an offensive hub than Knueppel, who’s primarily an off-ball shooter reliant on the playmakers around him. The Mavericks are going to be running the offense through Flagg for years to come, while Knueppel will probably remain a third option behind LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.
NBA awards voters have yet to cast their ballots because of Luka Doncic’s ongoing appeal regarding his eligibility. Voters on the fence about Flagg or Knueppel were likely watching Tuesday’s game.
