Kon Knueppel Leads Hornets in Scoring with 28 Points, Shows Promising Rookie Form

Kon Knueppel led the Hornets in scoring with 28 points (11-20 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 1-1 FT), adding eight rebounds and seven assists in 42 minutes during Wednesday's 127-118 loss to the Pacers. This marks his fifth game with at least 24 points in 15 appearances, and his seven assists were his second most in a game this season. The rookie forward has seen increased playing time, logging 34 or more minutes in six of his last seven games, averaging 22.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists during that stretch. Knueppel, a 20-year-old sharpshooter, signed a two-year, $20.53 million contract with the Hornets in July 2025. He played one season at Duke, where he averaged 14.4 points and 4.0 rebounds, showcasing his three-point shooting (41%) and playmaking potential, though his defense and finishing around the rim are still developing.