Charlotte Hornets forward Kon Knueppel is building his case for the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year award with a record-breaking display of 3-point shooting that even Stephen Curry would be impressed with.
Knueppel, the fourth overall pick from Duke, knocked down eight 3-pointers and scored 28 points to help Charlotte beat Indiana 133-109.
The 20-year-old Milwaukee native broke the record for 3-points set by Keegan Murray in the third quarter off an assist from Sion James.
He finished the game with 209 triples, surpassing Murray’s mark in just 59 games.
Murray made 207 3-pointers in his rookie season in 2022-23 in 80 games.
Stephen Curry, the record-holder for most 3-pointers made in a season at 402, made 166 triples in 80 games in the 2009-10 season, which was his rookie year.
The 6-foot-6 small forward thanked his teammates and coaches for setting him up for better looks at the basket but his mentality remains grounded to making the right play every time for his team.
“Honestly, I thought I needed seven. It’s really just about making the right basketball play,” Knueppel said.
“My teammates are setting good screens and setting me up in good spots. The coaches as well. I’m just out there looking to make the right play for my team.”
Knueppel making case for Rookie of the Year
According to NBA.com, Knueppel, who is shooting 44.2% from 3-point range, is averaging 19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
He shoots a 49.1% clip from the field and 89.3% from the free-throw line.
The forward’s efforts has made him a strong contender for the NBA Rookie of the Year, setting him up for a showdown with his former college teammate and roommate Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks.
In comparison, Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick, is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game in 49 games this season.
The 6-foot-9 forward has shot 49.2% from the field, including 30.2 from the 3-point area, and 80.4% from free throws.
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Could the Hornets make the playoffs?
Knueppel has also helped propel the long-suffering Hornets into playoff contention with 22 games left.
Charlotte, which is 10th in the Eastern Conference standings at 29-31, has a 1 1/2 game lead over 11th place Milwaukee Bucks. The last time the Hornets made the playoffs was in the 2015-16 season.
Hornets coach Charles Lee commended Knueppel for his sniping and his humble persona.
Lee said Knueppel’s personality helps elevate the team’s culture and he described the former Duke forward as a player with no ego, which “becomes contagious throughout your whole organisation.”
Knueppel has been a perfect fit in second-year coach Lee’s offense alongside playmaker LaMelo Ball, using his basketball IQ to find open spots on the floor – a skill he attributes to playing in his father’s men’s league against taller competition beginning as an eighth grader growing up in Milwaukee.
Entering Thursday night, Knueppel had 93% of his 3s coming off assists, according to Cleaning the Glass.
Even Curry hailed the small forward’s ability to shoot at a high level. He said that you can’t leave Knueppel wide open due to his quick release and his playmaking is underrated.
Cleveland star Donovan Mitchell was also in awe of Knueppel’s shooting and talent, and believes that it will be an interesting fight for the Rookie of the Year after the season ends.
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