The recent game between the Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers showcased two of the NBA’s leading Rookie of the Year candidates as the Mavericks’ first overall pick, Cooper Flagg, faced off against the 76ers’ third overall pick, VJ Edgecombe. Flagg and Edgecombe have faced off at nearly every level on their way to the NBA, and after the game, Flagg provided clarity on their relationship.
Cooper Flagg Doesn’t View VJ Edgecombe As A Rival
While speaking to the media after the game, Flagg revealed that he doesn’t see his relationship with Edgecombe as a rivalry. Flagg said, “I wouldn’t say it’s a rivalry. With the awards, you’re always playing against each other and put against those guys that are in your class. I’ve got a lot of love for VJ. We’ve competed at a really high level against each other for three years now, so it’s just a lot of love and respect there. He’s a competitor and a winner at the highest level, and that always shines through.”
“I wouldn’t say it’s a rivalry. With the awards you’re always playing against each other and put against those guys that are in your class for the rookie stuff.
I’ve got a lot of love for V.J. We’ve competed at a really high level against each other for three years now so it’s… pic.twitter.com/bKUQsC4Fig
— Abby Jones (@_abigaiiiil) January 2, 2026
Edgecombe has the early bragging rights on Flagg, improving to 2-0 against him in the NBA after the 76ers defeated the Mavericks 123-108. Edgecombe scored 23 points on 9-14 shooting from the field, while Flagg finished the game with 12 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists on 5-15 shooting from the field.
The ascending stars went viral in 2024 while playing against each other in high school, as Flagg’s Monteverde Academy defeated Edgecombe’s Long Island Lutheran, while engaging in animated trash talking. The stars then faced off during their lone college seasons, with Flagg and the Duke Blue Devils defeating Edgecombe and the Baylor Bears in the NCAA Tournament. Edgecombe has leveled the score for now on the professional level.
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Edgecombe certainly looked more comfortable at the beginning of their pro careers, while Flagg struggled playing out of position at point guard. However, Edgecombe struggled with his consistency throughout much of November and early December, as he seemingly alternated between good shooting games and poor ones. As Edgecombe hit the rookie wall, Flagg appeared to break out of his slump once he was moved back to his natural place on the wing. He averaged 23.5 points per game on 51.6% shooting from the field in December to re-establish himself in the Rookie of the Year Award race.
From a team perspective, there’s more responsibility on Flagg, as the Mavs linger around the bottom of the Western Conference, while veterans like Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson deal with trade rumors. Meanwhile, Edgecombe gets to fulfill a clear role while Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid lead the 76ers into the playoffs.
The signs are there, though, that Flagg vs Edgecombe will be one of the league’s premier matchups in the future.