Knueppel supplied 28 points (9-17 FG, 7-11 3Pt, 3-3 FT), six rebounds, three assists and one block over 34 minutes during Sunday's 113-110 loss to Atlanta.
Knueppel led the Hornets with a game-high-tying 28 points and was one of three Charlotte players to score at least 20. Additionally, he knocked down a game-best seven three-pointers. The rookie first-rounder was also active on the glass, grabbing six-plus boards for the third time in his last four appearances. The 20-year-old swingman has logged four consecutive games with 24 or more points and at least four triples. During that span, he has averaged 26.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 36.5 minutes per contest.
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Hornets' Kon Knueppel: Drains six triples in loss
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Knueppel posted 26 points (9-12 FG, 6-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), one rebound, one assist and one steal over 34 minutes during the Hornets' 131-116 loss to the Clippers on Saturday.
The first-round rookie's performance was shadowed by a 55-point outburst from James Harden, but Knueppel did what he could to keep the Hornets competitive during Saturday's game, leading the team in scoring while connecting on a career-high six three-pointers. Even with Brandon Miller (shoulder) making his 2025-26 debut to join LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges in the starting lineup, Knueppel still appears to have an integral role for himself in the Hornets' offense. Knueppel has scored at least 20 points in four of his last five games, and over that span he has averaged 23.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals over 36.1 minutes per game while shooting 56.4 percent from the floor (including 46.7 percent from three on 9.0 3PA/G).
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Hornets' Kon Knueppel: Another big game
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Knueppel generated 28 points (11-20 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds and seven assists across 42 minutes of Wednesday's 127-118 loss to the Pacers.
Knueppel led the Hornets in scoring, and he recorded at least 24 points for the fifth time in 15 games. His seven assists were his second most in a game this season. The rookie has played 34 or more minutes in six of his last seven appearances, and he's averaging 22.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game during that stretch.
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Hornets' Kon Knueppel: Drains four triples vs. Toronto
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Knueppel logged 24 points (9-16 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and three steals over 36 minutes during the Hornets' 110-108 loss to the Raptors on Monday.
Knueppel led the Hornets in scoring during Monday's loss and finished second in the game behind the Raptors' Brandon Ingram (27). It was the sixth time this season that Knueppel connected on at least four triples, and he has recorded three steals in two of his last three outings. The No. 4 overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft has opened his rookie season averaging 17.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 0.9 steals over 32.9 minutes per game while connecting on 40.2 percent of his three-point attempts on 8.0 3PA/G.
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Hornets' Kon Knueppel: Goes for career-high 32 points
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Knueppel closed Friday's 147-134 overtime loss to the Bucks with 32 points (12-20 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 4-5 FT), three rebounds, three assists and three steals in 41 minutes.
Knueppel continues to go from strength to strength, scoring a career-high 32 points, logging a whopping 41 minutes. He has now started in all but one game this season, averaging 17.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 3.3 three-pointers across his first 12 appearances. It should be noted that much of his production has come without LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, making this a potential sell-high opportunity.
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Hornets' Kon Knueppel: Nears triple-double vs. Lakers
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Knueppel logged 19 points (6-11 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 505 FT), 10 rebounds, nine assists and one steal over 38 minutes during the Hornets' 121-111 loss to the Lakers on Monday.
Knueppel filled up the box score Monday, registering his second double-double of the season and coming one dime shy from the first triple-double of his NBA career. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft has played himself into an integral role in the Hornets' offense, and it'll be interesting to see how his minutes and usage will be impacted when Brandon Miller (shoulder) is cleared to return. Knueppel has averaged 19.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 0.8 steals over 35.4 minutes per game in five games since Nov. 1.
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Hornets' Kon Knueppel: Scores career-high 30 points
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Knueppel closed with 30 points (9-23 FG, 5-13 3Pt, 7-7 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in 40 minutes during Friday's 126-108 loss to the Heat.
With LaMelo Ball (ankle) missing in action the past three games, Knueppel has seen his usage rate surge to 23.7, and he's responded with averages of 24.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 4.0 triples per contest. He's the first rookie this season to score 20-plus points in three straight games and the only rookie with back-to-back, 20-point performances.
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Hornets' Kon Knueppel: Double-doubles in loss
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Knueppel finished with 20 points (7-16 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 12 rebounds and two assists across 32 minutes during Tuesday's 116-112 loss to the Pelicans.
Knueppel followed up his career-high 24-point performance against the Jazz with another solid outing. He continues to show why he's one of the best rookies this season with big-time fantasy value.
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Hornets' Kon Knueppel: Shifts to bench on Saturday
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Knueppel ended Saturday's 125-121 loss to the 76ers with 14 points (5-11 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds and one assist in 30 minutes.
After starting in his professional debut in Charlotte's 136-117 season-opening win over Brooklyn on Wednesday, Knueppel played 30 minutes off the bench Saturday night. If Brandon Miller (shoulder) is forced to miss any time, the rookie could find himself back with the starters as early as Sunday against the Washington Wizards. Either way, the 20-year-old should see consistent playing time for the Hornets in 2025-26 after they selected him with the fourth overall pick in last June's draft.
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Hornets' Kon Knueppel: Moving to bench vs. Philadelphia
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Knueppel won't start in Saturday's game against the 76ers.
Collin Sexton will get the starting nod over Knueppel on Saturday. The rookie started Wednesday's season-opening win over Brooklyn, recording 11 points (4-6 FG, 3-4 3Pt), five rebounds and one assist over 25 minutes.
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Hornets' Kon Knueppel: Will start vs. Memphis
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Knueppel will be in the starting lineup in Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies.
After coming off the bench during Thursday's preseason matchup against the Thunder, the rookie forward will be in the first five. The Duke product will join LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and Ryan Kalkbrenner in the starting lineup. Veteran guard Collin Sexton will be in the second unit.
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Hornets' Kon Knueppel: Leads Hornets with 18 points
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Knueppel logged 18 points (6-13 FG, 4-10 3PT, 2-2 FT) with two rebounds and two assists across 23 minutes of Sunday's 135-114 preseason loss to the Thunder.
Knueppel drew the start and led the Hornets in points and shot attempts Sunday. After an impressive Summer League run, Knueppel hit the ground running in his first taste of preseason action and made a strong case to be in the starting lineup for Opening Night. However, head coach Charles Lee said Charlotte's fifth starter could depend on nightly matchups while mentioning Collin Sexton and Tre Mann as Knueppel's top competition.
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Hornets' Kon Knueppel: Scores 21 in SL championship
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Knueppel recorded 21 points (8-21 FG, 4-11 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds and two assists during Sunday's 83-78 Summer League championship win over the Kings.
Knueppel put together an impressive performance to close out Summer League, posting a team-high 21 points. He connected on a game-high four three-pointers, including a clutch three-pointer to put Charlotte up four with 32 seconds remaining. Knueppel's performance earned him the Summer League title game MVP award.
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Hornets' Kon Knueppel: Another big night in Summer League
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Knueppel posted 19 points (7-13 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, six assists and two steals over 29 minutes during Thursday's 106-81 Summer League win over the Spurs.
Knueppel tied for the team lead in points and assists on the way to yet another impressive showing. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Knueppel has shown in back-to-back Summer League appearances that he's ready for the next level. He should get another chance over the weekend to continue building his case for a rotation spot.
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Hornets' Kon Knueppel: Notches double-double
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Knueppel finished with 16 points (5-10 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 10 rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block over 26 minutes in Monday's 87-69 Summer League win over the Mavericks.
Knueppel returned to action Monday after missing Saturday's game with a lingering ankle injury, knocking down three three-pointers and posting a double-double. He impressed as a freshman at Duke last season, averaging 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from beyond the arc over 39 total games. The rookie projects as a plug-and-play contributor for the Hornets this season.
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Hornets' Kon Knueppel: Cleared to play Monday
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Knueppel (ankle) is available for Monday's Summer League game against the Mavericks.
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 Draft, Knueppel sat out Saturday's win over Philadelphia as part of a buildup following a pre-draft ankle injury, but he'll return to game action Monday. The 19-year-old posted five points (1-8 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 3-6 FT), four assists, one rebound and one steal across 30 minutes in Friday's win over the Spurs.
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Hornets' Kon Knueppel: Ruled out Saturday
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Knueppel (ankle) won't play in Saturday's Summer League matchup against the 76ers, Nick Carboni of WCNC Charlotte reports.
Knueppel will miss the second night of the club's back-to-back set as part of a buildup following a pre-draft ankle injury. However, he's expected to suit up in Monday's game against the Mavericks. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft struggled in Friday's win over the Spurs, posting five points (1-8 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 3-6 FT), four assists, one rebound and one steal across 30 minutes.
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Hornets' Kon Knueppel: Selected by Hornets at No. 4
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Knueppel was selected by the Hornets with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Knueppel is one of the best shooters in the draft and was lauded for his feel of the game. The 6-foot-7 Duke product impressed off the dribble, using his strong frame to displace defenders and high processing speed to make timely passes. He figures to be an excellent connector piece from Day 1, filling in at the small forward slot between Brandon Miller (wrist) and Miles Bridges (hip). While Knueppel won't have the ball in his hand much -- Miller and LaMelo Ball (ankle) should eat up usage -- he excels at contributing off the ball through cutting and running around off-ball screens as a shooting threat. There are some question marks about how Knueppel will hold up on the defensive end, but his length and high IQ could make up for what he may lack athletically.
