Patryk Stachowiak
Summer League 2025United States
Charlotte Hornets
Sacramento Kings
Memphis Grizzlies
The Charlotte Hornets made history on Sunday, securing their first-ever NBA Summer League championship with a tightly contested 83-78 win over the Sacramento Kings. The victory capped off a flawless 6-0 campaign for the Hornets, who showed both tactical cohesion and clutch finishing under pressure.
Kon Knueppel, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, delivered a statement performance with 21 points, earning Championship Game MVP honors. After a modest five-point debut, Knueppel’s form surged he averaged 18.3 points across his final four outings and iced the title game with a crucial three-pointer at the 31.1-second mark to give Charlotte a four-point cushion.
“Like I said before, if you’re going to come here, you should win. So, that’s what we did”
Knueppel told reporters post-game, underscoring the winning mentality this Hornets squad embodied throughout the tournament.
Team Contributions and Tactical Execution
Backing Knueppel’s scoring spree, Ryan Kalkbrenner added 15 points while three other Hornets chipped in with 11 each, showcasing a well-balanced offensive scheme. Charlotte’s ability to share the scoring load and adapt on both ends of the floor proved instrumental, particularly when their early 18-point second-quarter lead began to waver.
Isaac Jones was a force for Sacramento, tallying 24 points and 11 rebounds. Devin Carter added 13, and Nique Clifford the 24th pick contributed 10 points and 8 boards, a step down from his 16.2-point average heading into the final. Despite their efforts, the Kings fell short in their third championship appearance, having previously lifted the title in 2014 and 2021.
Closing Moments: Free Throws and Foul Drama
The game’s tension peaked in the final two minutes. Jones slashed the deficit to one on a pair of clutch plays a put-back with 1:17 left and a deep triple at 20.3 seconds. But the Hornets held their nerve at the line, converting 5-of-6 free throws in the dying seconds to seal the win.
“It’s a championship game. That’s what everybody wants to see anyway, so it works out well”
said Hornets coach Chris Jent.
“In order to win a championship, you’ve got to play through adversity”
The game wasn’t without controversy. Charlotte center James Banks III was ejected late in the third quarter after a flagrant 2 foul for elbowing Dylan Cardwell. The incident paused the game as officials reviewed the play, with Cardwell remaining on the floor for several minutes.
Looking Ahead
The Hornets’ undefeated Summer League run not only adds silverware to their cabinet but also signals a promising future with Knueppel at the helm. If this performance is any indicator, Charlotte might finally be building a foundation capable of delivering sustained success in the main season.