Hornets edge Mavericks 123–121 in Dallas as wild final 2:30 swings on Flagg’s late turnover and Knueppel’s free throws [VIDEO]

A back-and-forth finish turns chaotic as Kon Knueppel’s clutch free throws seal a Hornets win despite Cooper Flagg’s 49-point night

The closing 2:30 of the Mavericks and Hornets matchup began with one of the tightest atmospheres of the season. Both teams had fought through a fourth quarter packed with lead changes, locked at 113–113 after Charlotte pushed out 30 fourth-quarter points and Dallas answered with 28. The result was a moment where neither side held momentum long enough to feel comfortable, setting up a stretch where every shot, rebound, and whistle held the potential to break the night open.

Kon Knueppel opened the sequence with a mid-range pull-up that didn’t fall, allowing Dallas to take control of the ball and a chance to seize the lead. The Mavericks responded when Max Christie attacked the rim, missed a layup, and watched Daniel Gafford elevate for a crucial offensive rebound. That effort forced Charlotte to react quickly, and Moussa Diabate committed a shooting foul that sent Gafford to the line. His first attempt was good, tying the game, while the second missed and landed in Brandon Miller’s hands, keeping the matchup knotted.

Charlotte then tried to manufacture separation through perimeter play. Miles Bridges launched a three-pointer that didn’t connect, but Miller’s offensive rebound gave the Hornets renewed life. That extra possession proved vital, because it ensured LaMelo Ball would soon take command, stepping into a moment that signaled the shift in energy the Hornets needed to survive the final minutes.

LaMelo Ball’s Three Puts Charlotte Ahead Before Flagg Answers with a Goaltend-Confirmed Layup

With just over two minutes remaining, the ball swung back to Ball following Miller’s rebound, and he rose into a three-pointer that pushed Charlotte ahead 116–113. The shot was clean and confident, coming from beyond the arc and building on his near triple-double effort. It was the type of late-game moment Ball has long been known for, giving the Hornets a burst precisely when the fourth-quarter pressure tightened the strongest around them.

Dallas did not hesitate to respond. Cooper Flagg, who had carved through Charlotte’s defense all night, powered into the lane and scored on a driving layup. The basket was upheld after a goaltending call on Diabate, confirming the points and trimming Charlotte’s lead to 116–115. That finish contributed to Flagg’s massive 49-point night, built on 20-of-29 shooting with 10 rebounds, a performance that kept Dallas within reach even as Charlotte connected on key shots.

Charlotte reclaimed a bit of stability at 1:44 when Ball penetrated the defense, drew multiple bodies toward him, and dropped off a pass to Diabate for a dunk. The bucket returned the Hornets to a 118–115 advantage and punctuated Ball’s orchestration of the possession. Moments later, when P.J. Washington attacked the rim, Miller met him at the top of the shot for a clean block despite carrying five fouls. That single play prevented Dallas from building an answer and set up another transition opportunity for the Hornets.

Max Christie Ties the Score Before Miller Buries a Corner Three in Response

Dallas found fresh momentum after Ball missed a layup with just over a minute left, with Flagg securing the rebound and pushing the Mavericks into another offensive set. Their patience paid off when Washington swung the ball to Christie, who knocked down a three-pointer at 1:01 to tie the game at 118–118. It was a possession built on spacing and awareness, and it brought Dallas right back to even as the building reached peak intensity.

Charlotte’s counterpunch arrived with some of their most composed execution of the night. Knueppel’s screening action freed space for Diabate to receive the ball on a short roll, and from there Diabate fired a perfect pass to Miller in the corner. With 38 seconds remaining, Miller drilled a three-pointer that pushed Charlotte ahead 121–118. It was his seventh make on the night and an example of how well the Hornets balanced their scoring options late in the game.

Dallas immediately burned a timeout, understanding that the next possession could determine whether the game extended or slipped out of reach. Coming out of the timeout, Flagg reclaimed control of the offense, isolating himself into position for a quick pull-up three. With 33 seconds on the clock, he buried it, tying the score for the second time in under forty seconds. It was the kind of shot expected from the hottest player on the floor, and it kept Dallas squarely in position to steal the game in its final seconds.

Charlotte Fails to Convert, Giving Dallas a Chance to Take the Lead in the Final Seconds

Charlotte used a timeout of their own, hoping to manufacture a clean scoring opportunity. Their next attempt came when Miles Bridges attacked the rim at 27 seconds, but his floating jumper missed. Flagg collected the rebound with authority, giving Dallas the ball with the game tied and under half a minute remaining. With a clear chance to take the lead, the momentum leaned heavily toward the Mavericks for the first time since Ball’s early-quarter burst.

Dallas set up their possession methodically, trusting Flagg’s scoring presence and feel for late-game decisions. The ball worked through the hands of their key players, and the offense settled into deliberate motion that aimed to open space for Flagg or Christie. Charlotte, meanwhile, tightened their defensive alignment, understanding that one stop might create the only opportunity left to avoid overtime or a last-second heartbreak on the road.

Just seven seconds remained when the possession fractured. Flagg attempted to fire a pass across the top of the floor, but Knueppel broke into the passing lane with perfect timing. His deflection knocked the ball loose, and Sion James grabbed it instantly, igniting what would become the most defining transition opportunity of the night. The tone of the final seconds shifted in one heartbeat, turning a potential Dallas go-ahead chance into a scramble retreat.

Knueppel Draws the Decisive Foul with 4.1 Seconds Left and Steps to the Line In a Tied Game

As James pushed the ball ahead, Knueppel sprinted down the floor alongside him, creating a two-on-one scenario against the Mavericks’ trailing defense. Flagg, hustling to recover, collided with Knueppel from behind as the rookie rose toward the basket. The whistle blew with 4.1 seconds remaining, sending Knueppel to the free-throw line for two shots with the score tied 121–121. It was a sudden reversal from moments earlier, when Dallas had seemed poised to control the ending.

Knueppel’s night had already featured 34 points and eight three-pointers, but the pressure of these two free throws far exceeded any earlier moment. His first attempt fell cleanly, pushing Charlotte ahead 122–121 and tightening the tension inside the arena. The second dropped just the same, cementing a 123–121 lead and shifting all remaining responsibility onto the Mavericks’ final possession. The rookie had seized control of the moment, delivering the shots that would ultimately decide the game.

Dallas used a final timeout to advance the ball, giving themselves a last look with four seconds left. As expected, they placed the ball in Flagg’s hands, trusting the rookie who had dominated the night to deliver once more. Charlotte countered with defensive discipline, preparing to contest any shot without risking a foul. With each tick of the clock, the ending pulled itself into focus: one possession, one shot, one last chance to redefine the final 2:30.

Flagg’s Final Shot Misses as Charlotte Closes Out a Dramatic Finish in Dallas

On the final play, Flagg took the inbound pass and maneuvered into a pull-up attempt from mid-range. Charlotte’s defense collapsed quickly, with Bridges remaining in front of him as Miller stunted into the space just long enough to disrupt the timing. Flagg leaned into the shot under heavy pressure, and the ball caromed off target as the buzzer sounded. Dallas snagged the rebound, but the horn arrived a beat too early to extend the play.

The defensive sequence reflected the Hornets’ ability to withstand the Mavericks’ heaviest punch of the night. Ball, Miller, and Knueppel each contributed critical moments across the final minutes, ensuring Charlotte remained steady even as Flagg broke through with one of the most explosive rookie scoring displays in recent memory. Their defensive cohesion over the last possession captured the essence of the game: a duel defined by precision and disruption.

The finish also underscored how Charlotte’s combination of late shooting, timely stops, and turnover creation allowed them to leave Dallas with a win. From Ball’s deep three to Diabate’s dunk to Miller’s corner shot and Knueppel’s perfect free throws, the Hornets executed in every way required to survive a night where Flagg nearly seized the entire game on his own. The victory extended Charlotte’s winning streak to five games and stamped this matchup as one of the most compelling endings of the season.

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