The two favorites to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award this season are Cooper Flagg and VJ Edgecombe. They collided for the first time as pros on Saturday, when the Dallas Mavericks visited the Philadelphia 76ers at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.Speaking to reporters after the Sixers' 121-114 win, Flagg was asked about his first matchup against Edgecombe in the NBA. The Mavs star had nothing but praise for his fellow rookie, who has been tearing it up for their respective teams."I think we both played a solid game," Flagg said, according to Dallas Morning News' Mike Curtis. "He played a really good game. He was aggressive. Got to his spots and rose up. I knew that's what he was capable of.The Duke product added:"He's a great player. Been playing against him for a couple years live now, competing at a really high level. I know the competitor that he is and the level he brings every single night. I knew what to expect coming in."Cooper Flagg has looked more comfortable after a rough start to his NBA career. Flagg finished with 24 points, four rebounds and three assists in the Dallas Mavericks' loss. Anthony Davis added 24 points, 15 rebounds and and two assists, while Naji Marshall contributed 22 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. On the other hand, VJ Edgecombe put up 26 points, four rebounds and six assists. Tyrese Maxey had a game-high 38 points on 15-for-31 shooting, while Dominick Barlow added 21 points, four rebounds and two steals. The two rookies ended up exchanging jerseys after the game despite having a "beef" before the NBA draft. VJ Edgecombe opens up about 'beef' with Cooper FlaggVJ Edgecombe opens up about 'beef' with Cooper Flagg. (Photo: IMAGN)Cooper Flagg and VJ Edgecombe have known each other since high school. They have been rivals on the court, leading to speculation that they have "beef" with each other.In an appearance on "Podcast P with Paul George" in July, Edgecombe cleared things up and said that there's no real animosity between him and Flagg. It was all "love," and they are even close off the court. "It's a friendly rivalry," Edgecombe said, according to CBS Sports. "Off the court we're close. We're close, but we know on the court, we're competing. ... At the end of the day, it's all love between me and Coop."It's going to be a close Rookie of the Year race, especially if Edgecombe continues at his current pace. Other ROY candidates include Cedric Coward, Kon Knueppel and Jeremiah Fears.