Is Cooper Flagg Still Rookie of the Year Favorite? Fans React After Mavs Lose to Heat

The Dallas Mavericks and Cooper Flagg fell 106-102 to the Miami Heat on the road Monday after a lackluster outing from the No. 1 overall pick.

Flagg finished with 12 points on 36 percent shooting, adding seven rebounds with three turnovers, prompting renewed questions about his Rookie of the Year candidacy amid an up-and-down start to his debut season.

Monday's quiet performance marked his second straight off night after he shot 26 percent for 12 points in Dallas' 102–96 loss to Memphis on Saturday.

Fans reacted to Flagg's showing and whether he still deserves Rookie of the Year consideration after the loss to Miami.

Many fans have started pointing to Flagg's former Duke teammate, Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel, as the Rookie of the Year favorite. Knueppel is averaging 19.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 49.1 percent from the field.

On Monday, P.J. Washington attempted to lift Dallas to a win with 27 points and eight rebounds on 50 percent shooting from the field as Dallas fell 5-14 on the season

Miami held an eight-point lead at halftime, powered by 15 points from Kel'el Ware while Tyler Herro added eight points and six rebounds. Flagg struggled in the first half, heading into the break with just two points on 1-of-5 shooting. Washington and Brandon Williams each had 10 points at halftime.

Dallas battled its way back in the fourth, tying it at 96 with 4:33 remaining. A pair of Flagg free throws evened it at 102 with just over a minute left.

Miami answered with a Herro jumper to re-take the lead, and despite Washington's standout performance, he couldn't knock down two potential game-winners. The Heat closed it out at the line as the matchup came down to free throws.

Dallas will remain on the road for a matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.