Hornets Edge Mavericks 123-121 in Dallas as Cooper Flagg Scores 49 in Loss

Charlotte closes a road win with late defense and perimeter shooting

The Charlotte Hornets beat the Dallas Mavericks 123-121 on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at American Airlines Center, finishing a two-point road victory in a game that featured a record-setting scoring night from Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg and a decisive late sequence by Charlotte wing Kon Knueppel.

Charlotte led after the first quarter and held off multiple Dallas runs, including a 38-point second quarter by the Mavericks that flipped the game after a 13-point deficit. The teams entered the fourth quarter separated by one point before trading leads down the stretch.

Flagg’s 49 points keep Dallas close, but the final possession swings to Charlotte

Flagg scored 49 points and added 10 rebounds, producing one of the season’s highest individual totals and carrying the Mavericks through long stretches of half-court offense. Dallas remained within one possession late despite Charlotte’s efficiency from three-point range.

The closing moments turned on a turnover and free throws. With the score tied in the final seconds, Charlotte gained possession after a deflection near midcourt and converted at the line. Dallas had a final attempt to force overtime, but the shot did not fall, sealing a Hornets win that moved them to 21-28 while Dallas dropped to 19-29.

Final score: Hornets 123, Mavericks 121 (Jan. 29, 2026, Dallas).

Knueppel’s shooting stretches the floor; Ball and Miller provide secondary creation

Knueppel led Charlotte with 34 points, built around high-volume three-point accuracy. He made 8 of 12 from beyond the arc and went 6-for-6 at the free-throw line, giving Charlotte reliable scoring even as Dallas increased ball pressure in the second half.

Charlotte’s backcourt and wings shared playmaking duties. LaMelo Ball scored 22 points with nine assists while hitting six three-pointers, and Brandon Miller added 23 points on a balanced shooting line that included perfect free-throw shooting. Miles Bridges posted 17 points and contributed eight rebounds and eight assists, helping Charlotte maintain pace when Dallas attacked in transition.

Efficiency and three-point volume separate the teams in the margins

Charlotte’s advantage came through shot-making efficiency and perimeter production. The Hornets posted a strong effective field-goal rate and kept turnovers low, while Dallas generated extra chances on the offensive glass but converted at a lower efficiency overall. With both teams playing at roughly the same possession count, those marginal differences became decisive in a one-possession finish.

• Charlotte starters produced four 20-plus scoring threats (Knueppel, Ball, Miller; Bridges near that mark) while maintaining playmaking balance.
• Dallas leaned heavily on Flagg’s scoring burst to keep pace late.
• The game featured multiple lead changes in the final quarter before Charlotte closed at the line.