Top rookies shine as Hornets beat Mavericks for 5th straight win

Kon Knueppel set career highs with eight 3-pointers and 34 points as the visiting Charlotte Hornets withstood a career-high 49 points from fellow rookie Cooper Flagg to beat the Dallas Mavericks 123-121 on Thursday.

The matchup between the top Rookie of the Year candidates lived up to expectations, with the Hornets emerging with their fifth straight win after Flagg's 20-foot jumper hit the back rim at the buzzer.

Charlotte pulled ahead 121-118 on Brandon Miller's trey with 38.5 seconds...