On Friday night, Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, 19, did something no teenager had ever done. The No. 1 pick in the 2025 Draft dropped 51 points, becoming the youngest player — and only teenager — in NBA history to drop a 50-piece.

Flagg did it while shooting 19 of 30 (63.3%) from the field. The Mavericks also needed every single one of those points, too, as they lost to the Orlando Magic, 138-127. Flagg poured in 24 fourth-quarter points to try to pull the Mavericks back from the dead and a 30-point deficit. Mavericks assistant Frank Vogel (filling in after Jason Kidd was ejected) initially removed Flagg from the game with under four minutes to play and his team trailing by 17. Flagg had 45 at that point, and a chorus of boos from the home crowd followed. 

Soon after, however, Flagg was back in the game and pushed his point total to 51. In doing so, Flagg became the youngest player to score 50 points in an NBA game, passing Brandon Jennings, who scored 55 in 2009 at age 20. Flagg also became just the third rookie since the ABA/NBA merger in 1976 to score 50, joining Jennings and Allen Iverson (1997). 

“It’s always fun getting into that type of mode,” Flagg said after the game. “The basket feels big. Your teammates are looking out for you, helping you out. But I love to win, so that was my main focus. It’s hard for me to fully enjoy myself out there when we’re down 20, down 10, down 15 for the majority of the game.”

The most impressive aspect of Flagg’s performance wasn’t the highlight reel dunks or the countless times he made a mockery of Orlando’s defense by taking several defenders off the dribble to score with ease at the rim or from mid-range. It was, surprisingly, Flagg’s 3-point shooting that stuck out the most. 

The rookie went 6 of 9 from long range, the most 3s he’s made in a single game this season. It’s also the most 3s he’s taken in a game this season, too. If you’ve watched Flagg at all, you know his 3-point shooting is by far his weakest offensive skill. He’s only had six games this season in which he’s made more than two 3-pointers in a game. He has more games where he’s connected on zero 3-pointers (26) than he’s had games where he’s made two 3-pointers (11).

His 3-point shooting, now up to 29.3% for the season, is a work in progress. Friday night’s performance showed there’s hope that he can become a more consistent threat from there with time. He was drilling catch-and-shoot 3s, but even more impressively, Flagg had several pull-up 3s that provided flashes of what his future could hold.

It was a statement performance for the rookie, and it put him in good company with some all-time greats. Flagg has topped 40 points three times this season. Only Michael Jordan (7) and Iverson (5) have more 40-point games as a rookie since the merger. 

After the game, his teammates and coaches were singing his praises.

“He should be Rookie of the Year. It’s unbelievable,” Kidd said. “The country is not watching the same thing that we get to watch on a daily basis. The things that he’s done, he’s in rare air. He’s with the GOAT when you talk about MJ and what he did in his rookie year — and as a teenager.”

It’s no surprise to see Kidd endorse his star for Rookie of the Year, and it’s pretty hard to argue with him after Friday night. But where exactly does Flagg stack up against Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets, the frontrunner for the award?

Tale of the tape: Flagg vs. Knueppel

Knueppel, Flagg’s former teammate at Duke, is currently the favorite for Rookie of the Year (-350 at FanDuel). But after Friday’s performance, Flagg certainly made this race interesting and isn’t too far behind in the odds at +250. 

Despite what passionate fans might say on both sides of this race, this is a lot closer than anyone is willing to admit, and performances like Flagg’s on Friday could significantly sway the conversation.

Head-to-head stats

Flagg’s on pace to become the first rookie since Jordan to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists and steals. He owns the top three highest scoring totals by a rookie this season. In a typical year, Flagg would be far ahead in the Rookie of the Year conversation, no question. Historically, the award has always gone to a rookie on a rebuilding team. If Flagg won the award right now, he’d certainly be deserving of it. He’s been the most important player on a roster that has been in flux all season. 

He’s not just the offensive engine for the Mavericks; he’s also defending at a level above what rookies are expected to do. He’s efficient from mid-range, can get to the rim at will and finishes at a rate (68%) higher than the likes of Devin Booker and Donovan Mitchell, per Cleaning the Glass.

That’s not to say Knueppel shouldn’t win the award. He’s averaging 18.8 points on near 50/40/90 splits. He shattered the rookie 3-point record and has been a catalyst for Charlotte transforming from a lottery mainstay to an actually competitive team. 

But Knueppel is also benefiting from playing alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. He’s become one of the best off-ball threats in the league in part because of the attention those two attract, but also because of the high IQ Knueppel has with his off-ball movement. It’s not outrageous to say Knueppel is the best 3-point shooter in the league not named Stephen Curry, and the numbers back that up. Knueppel is second in the league in 3-point percentage (minimum five 3PA/G), proving he’s not just good by rookie standards. He’s lighting the league on fire.

When it comes down to it, there’s a case for both players, or a co-winner situation like Grant Hill and Jason Kidd in 1995. But because no one likes ties, Knueppel might have the edge because the Hornets are in position to earn a playoff spot if they can get through the play-in round first. They’ve almost doubled the number of wins the Mavericks have (42 to 24). In a Rookie of the Year race this close, the team results might actually be the deciding factor. Even a historic 51-point outing from Flagg might not be enough to significantly pull voters back on his side to overtake Knueppel in this race.

PurplePTSD works in partnership with Vikings Territory, similarly doing their utmost to offer top-notch coverage of the Minnesota Vikings. As a result, we’re promoting five of their top articles of the past month in “The P/PTSD Perspective.” Take a peek at some of their best stuff.

The P/PTSD Perspective: April 4th, 2026

1) Kevin O’Connell Confirms Player’s Position Switch: Blake Brandel can do it all. Quite possibly, Brandel could be the solution at center. He’s a veteran who works hard and who likes to compete. The issue is twofold: he’s likely not the world’s best option and elevating him means losing the valued depth.

2) Cowboys Prevent a Possible Vikings Reunion: Dallas made the move to enhance its d-line depth. Jonathan Bullard is a rugged veteran who is akin to a fourth-line forward in hockey, someone who specializes in killing penalties. Nobody thinks that 50 goals are going to get scored; rather, the new add does the dirty work that allows a team to win.

3) There’s Early Momentum in Vikings’ GM Search: Rob Brzezinski has had a nice offseason in charge. Like a quarterback starting for a few games before struggling over the long haul, Brzezinski will need to answer questions about his capacity to shine over years and not months.

4) Former Vikings Defender Calls it a Career: He’ll very reasonably get consideration for the Hall of Fame. The corner did excellently for a long time. Eventually, time comes for even the best players, so it’s time to hang up the cleats.

5) Bane 1.0: Vikings 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Going a full seven rounds is bold. Minnesota can’t simply crush the opening selection, as vital as that is. Rather, there needs to be value found from the 2nd onward. Check out how Mr. Bane sees things unfolding.

Enjoy the extra reading, Vikings fans.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

Tyler Schiller’s premier Group One engagement on the opening leg of The Championships at Randwick is Briasa, protector of the T J Smith Stakes crown, but he sees greater potential in his two lesser-noticed alternatives.

Besides that, the expert hoop connects with Paul Preusker’s Steparty ($19) in the Doncaster Mile (1600m) and Dezignation ($151) from Matt Smith’s stable for the ATC Australian Derby (2400m), both of whom he deems capable of major impacts.

Positioned as the extreme roughie in the Derby contest, Dezignation nevertheless surged to claim fifth from this weekend’s adversary Storm Leopard ($5) in the Tulloch Stakes (2000m), distinguishing himself through confirmed suitability for the full distance over many foes.

Having taken the mount on the gelding for the debut time in that prep run, Schiller departed favorably inclined.

“He sneaks in off a really good run in the Tulloch,” Schiller said.

“He got back and was taken off the bridle a long way from home, and he stayed on super strong. He just needed a bit further, which he is going to get this weekend.

“As long as he backs up, he’s going to have a really good chance, and he’s got a lovely barrier compared to his outside barrier the other day.

“If it’s a good staying test, he is going to be in the finish.”

Steparty similarly escapes the limelight in the Doncaster Mile, where talk dominates around impressive filly Sheza Alibi.

A repeated Group 1 podium finisher, the five-year-old has sampled Sydney runs earlier, including second in the 2024 The Ingham (1600m) via the Doncaster path.

Following successive victories in Tasmania this February, he enters Saturday’s showcase after a near-miss fifth to Tom Kitten during the All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington, aided by a favorable gate six for a conservative ride.

“He’s a really nice horse. He’s got a great attitude and he’s another one flying under the radar,” Schiller said.

“He got beaten a length and a bit in the All-Star Mile off a tough, wide run, and he’s going as good as ever.

“Fingers crossed, barrier six is a lovely barrier in the Doncaster. Hopefully he can bounce and get a bit of cover somewhere and save himself for late. He drops a lot in weight, so I think he might surprise a few people.”

Across recent three weight-for-age efforts, Steparty managed 59kg, dropping to 51.5kg for Randwick.

Schiller pursues an initial Derby conquest alongside a follow-up Doncaster Mile after Celestial Legend’s success under him two years ago.

Discover betting sites offering strong racing odds for the ATC Australian Derby.

Believe it or not, although the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason has not been stuffed to the gills with constant action, the last few months have brought quite a few surprises. So, we ranked them.

Minnesota’s offseason has featured more curveballs than expected, with surprises on the roster, staff, and front office.

The draft is less than three weeks away, and it’s time to recap the offseason to date.

Several Unforeseen Moves Have Reshaped Minnesota’s 2026 Outlook

Ranking the Vikings’ offseason surprises from bottom to top (No. 1 = top offseason surprise).

5. No Head Coach Love for Brian Flores

In 2025, the Vikings’ defense ranked third in the NFL per EPA/Play and DVOA. In 2024, the same unit checked in at No. 2. Overall, Flores has fostered the league’s second-best defense overall since arriving in the Twin Cities three years ago. The guy deserves another head coach opportunity.

In January and February, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens came knocking for Flores, interviewing him for the vacant head coaching job.

Flores did not land either position. For a week or so, it felt like Flores would take the bait and depart from an esteemed franchise like PIT or BAL. Instead, those organizations picked other candidates, and Flores is back in Minnesota for Year No. 4.

4. No Starting Center Signed

Ryan Kelly, a four-time Pro Bowler, retired from the NFL after one year with the Vikings. Minnesota would need a replacement starting center, right? Nope.

These men were available, and the Vikings signed none:

• Tyler Linderbaum (LV)
• Elgton Jenkins (CLE)
• Tyler Biadasz (LAC)
• Cade Mays (DET)
• Luke Fortner (CAR)
• Lloyd Cushenberry III (BUF)

Instead, it sounds like Minnesota will promote jack-of-all-trades offensive lineman Blake Brandel to the starting center spot, and draft a center somewhere in the draft’s middle rounds.

3. Letting Jonathan Greenard Trade Smoke Become a Thing

In early March, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted that Greenard was available for trade, wanting a contract extension and hoping to earn more than his current $19 million per year salary. After all, Micah Parsons and Aidan Hutchinson earn over $45 million per season, and they play Greenard’s position.

Since the Schefter tweet, the Greenard trade smoke has cooled, but that doesn’t mean he’s off the trade block.

The Vikings will claim to be playoff hopefuls in 2026, and trading top-tier EDGE rushers is usually the last thing a serious team does; in fact, the NFL’s best teams go out of their way to add pass rushers.

ESPN’s Kevin Seifert on the latest Greenard trade fodder: “The Vikings made other moves to trim nearly $50 million from their 2026 cap total, but Greenard’s $19 million salary for this season sits in a tier below the league’s top pass rushers.”

“Until an adjustment occurs, a trade is possible if the Vikings are intrigued enough by an offer. Otherwise, the Vikings want Greenard to be part of a dynamic group of outside linebackers that includes veteran Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner, a 2024 first-round draft pick.”

2. The Kyler Murray Dream Came True

Back in December, websites like this one published articles outlining how much Murray might cost in a trade — because surely the Arizona Cardinals wouldn’t let Murray leave for nothing and pay for him to play elsewhere.

What happened? The Cardinals let Murray leave for nothing and are paying for him to play elsewhere — for the Minnesota Vikings.

From the moment Arizona “softly benched” Murray in November, it felt like the Vikings could have a shot at landing him in the 2026 offseason. Arizona later released him, and it just became a foregone conclusion that Murray would sign with the Vikings. He didn’t really entertain any alternatives.

In Minnesota, Murray has a chance to forge a Drew Brees-like path in 2026 — become the long-term starter after his previous team didn’t want him.

1. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Fired

The Seattle Seahawks won the NFC Championship on January 25th, a club led by Sam Darnold. The Vikings let Darnold leave in free agency seven months prior. Seattle won the Super Bowl with the Vikings’ quarterback while the Vikings missed the playoffs altogether.

Someone had to pay, evidently.

Meanwhile, Adofo-Mensah hit on about 15%-25% of his draft selections from 2022 to 2025, a mark that was as embarrassing as it was shocking. It would be hard for you to pick worse players while drafting from your living room couch.

So, on January 30th, five days after Darnold and Co. won the NFC title game, the Vikings’ ownership put its foot down and canned Adofo-Mensah. The move was only stunning because of the timing; most teams make front office changes in early- or mid-January, not in the final days of the month.

Adofo-Mensah lasted four offseasons, and the timing of his removal shocked Vikings fans.

Here’s to hoping the draft classes can now fetch decent players.

Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder are set to go head-to-head in a heavyweight fight at London’s O2 Arena

DAZN have been forced to apologise during their live coverage of the undercard of Saturday’s fight between Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder. The broadcaster issued their apology during the fight between Ashton Sylve and Raul Antonio Galaviz Hernandez.

A message at the top of the screen said: “Sorry, we temporarily lost sound. It’ll be back as soon as possible”.

Saturday’s heavyweight fight at the O2 Arena in London sees Chisora return to the ring for the first time in over a year. His last fight was a unanimous decision win over Otto Wallin in February 2025.

The Brit takes on America’s Wilder, who has won just two of his last six fights and comes into the contest on the back of a knockout win over Tyrrell Anthony Herndon.

Chisora tipped the scales going into Saturday’s fight at a career-high weight at 19st 1lbs while Wilder weighed in at 16st 2lbs.

Speaking after the main broadcast on DAZN had begun, presenter Ade Oladipo said: “I did hear there were a few gremlins with the sound a bit earlier for those of you that are watching it on YouTube.

“Those gremlins have now gone, so make sure you buy the pay-per-view.”

The fight has been dubbed one of the last of both men’s careers. Chisora, 42, has already promised that he will hang up his gloves following the bout on Saturday and hopes to pick up one last win over the American.

There will be more to follow. We’ll bring you the very latest updates on this breaking news story.

Bath turned to a quartet of their England backs to turn the tide as they edged into the Champions Cup quarter-finals with a 31-22 victory over Saracens.

Trailing 10-0 at the interval at the Recreation Ground, the hosts burst into life with tries from Henry Arundell, Joe Cokanasiga, Ben Spencer and Ollie Lawrence as they set up a last-eight appointment at home against Northampton.

Spencer’s 59th-minute finish of an audacious attack that began on their own try-line looked to be pivotal but determined Saracens refused to throw in the towel and were only truly beaten when Arundell ran in his second in the 80th minute.

Bath’s scrum needed rescuing after a humbling first half with the introduction of prop Thomas du Toit making the difference and the South Africa tighthead was named man of the match.

Unlike their visit to the Recreation Ground a fortnight ago when they were overwhelmed 62-15, it was clear Saracens meant business from the start as they halted an early Bath onslaught including holding up a forward drive over the line.

Having proved their mettle in defence, they surged ahead in the 14th minute when Charlie Bracken deceived Cokanasiga with a dummy from the base of a maul and raced over.

It was poor defending from Cokanasiga, but at the other end Saracens continued to show far greater determination as the outstanding Tom Willis bulldozed a way through heavy traffic to rescue a dangerous position.

Bath’s scrum was beginning to buckle and they were also suffering at the breakdown, but the visitors were their own worst enemies at times with Fergus Burke failing to find touch with a penalty.

Rhys Carre rampaged into space and Noah Caluori almost crossed in the left corner before Guy Pepper was shown a yellow card for cynically heading the ball away on the floor.

So many elements of Saracens’ game were firing but the points they deserved proved elusive with a Farrell penalty their only other score in a half they had controlled.

To punish their wastefulness, Arundell sprinted across after being released by Charlie Ewels early in the second half and then Cokanasiga scooped up a loose ball to weave over after Lawrence had carried into space.

The tries sandwiched a dramatic reversal in the scrum with Beno Obano sin-binned for a cumulation of penalties before Du Toit forced a penalty, providing Cokanasiga with the platform to score.

Bath led for the first time and then produced the highlight of the afternoon by stopping Saracens from scoring by dislodging the ball from Andy Onyeama-Christie as he ran at the line before striking with a move that began from their own whitewash.

Cokanasiga escaped the 22, found Alfie Barbeary who waited for Spencer and the England scrum-half had gas to finish from long range.

Maro Itoje and then Ivan van Zyl burst through the breakdown and Saracens were far from done as a period of pressure ended with Max Malins touching down in the left corner.

But Harry Wilson was the next to see yellow for a dangerous tackle on Miles Reid and soon after Lawrence crashed over from close range.

Caluori replied for Saracens, but Bath had the final say at the death through Arundell.

A top AEW star, currently in the crosshairs of the Death Riders, recently asked a historic champion outside the promotion to help him against Moxley’s group.

The star we’re highlighting here is none other than Will Ospreay. The British talent recently made a major comeback to AEW, returning at Revolution 2026 last month after being sidelined with a neck injury since Forbidden Door 2025 in August. Upon his return, the Aerial Assassin immediately targeted the Death Riders, the group responsible for his long absence. The Sky King is set to face group leader Jon Moxley in a highly anticipated showdown at Dynasty 2026 on April 12. Meanwhile, Ospreay also recently made his in-ring return for NJPW, appearing at the promotion’s Sakura Genesis event, where he teamed up with United Empire’s Great-O-Khan and HENARE in a six-man tag team match, which his team won. Beyond that, Ospreay had an interesting discussion with IWGP Heavyweight Champion Callum Newman.

The main event of NJPW Sakura Genesis featured Newman defending his title against Yota Tsuji. Newman, who made wrestling history by becoming the youngest IWGP Heavyweight Champion, managed to defeat Tsuji in their match. Later backstage, Ospreay was seen asking the United Empire and Newman for help at work, seemingly implying that he needs assistance in dealing with the Death Riders.

Will Ospreay vs. Jon Moxley at AEW Dynasty will now be a title match

Many fans know that Will Ospreay’s chance to face Jon Moxley at Dynasty later this month was initially set as a regular singles match. However, recent events between the two at Collision this Thursday have caused the Purveyor of Violence to now defend his coveted Continental Title in that matchup.

For context, Moxley was attacked by the Aerial Assassin on Collision after his Continental Title eliminator match against Anthony Bowens. Ospreay was about to take out the One True King with a chair before the Death Riders arrived to make the save. The British star then challenged Moxley to put his Continental title on the line at Dynasty. The match change was soon made official by AEW.