Patryk Stachowiak
Hornets Swingman Secures Historic Milestone in Indianapolis
Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel cemented his place in the record books during a clinical performance against the Indiana Pacers. The No. 4 overall pick out of Duke converted his 207th three-pointer of the season on Thursday night, surpassing the previous rookie benchmark held by Keegan Murray.
Knueppel delivered an efficient display, finishing with 28 points while shooting 8 of 12 from deep. Charlotte dominated the contest in a 133-109 victory over the Pacers. The milestone shot arrived in the third quarter following an assist from Sion James, a former collegiate teammate. Knueppel now leads the NBA with 209 three-pointers made this season.
“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.”
Blistering Pace Redefines Rookie Standard
The speed of Knueppel‘s achievement highlights his scoring efficiency. While Keegan Murray required 80 games to set the record in the 2022-23 season, Knueppel eclipsed the total in only 59 appearances. The rookie admitted he was unaware of the specific count during the game, stating he believed he still needed seven makes to reach the record at the start of the night.
Currently shooting 44.2% from beyond the arc, Knueppel is a primary candidate for the NBA Rookie of the Year award. He remains in tight competition with his former college roommate, Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks. Beyond individual honors, his perimeter threat has pushed the Hornets into playoff contention, an environment the franchise hasn’t experienced since 2016.
Head coach Charles Lee noted that the rookie’s humble approach has transformed the team culture. Knueppel has integrated seamlessly into a system anchored by LaMelo Ball, utilizing high basketball IQ to exploit defensive gaps. Data from Cleaning the Glass indicates that 93% of his successful three-pointers this season have been assisted, underscoring his elite status as a catch-and-shoot specialist.
League Superstars Take Notice
Comparison to all-time greats illustrates the magnitude of this rookie campaign. Stephen Curry, who holds the single-season record of 402 threes, made 166 as a rookie on 43.7% shooting. Knueppel has already attempted 473 shots from distance, earning praise from Curry himself.
“He can obviously shoot the ball at a high level,” Curry remarked. “You can’t really leave him open at all as he has such a quick release and shoots with confidence. And his playmaking is very underrated.”
Donovan Mitchell, who now sits third on the all-time rookie three-point list, also acknowledged the effortless nature of Knueppel‘s game. Mitchell highlighted the rookie’s ability to create advantages in small pick-and-roll situations as a unique trait that complements his perimeter volume. With 22 games remaining, Knueppel continues to distance himself from the field, providing a reliable cornerstone for the Charlotte offense. Follow TipsGG for continued coverage of the NBA postseason race.
Read also: Kon Knueppel Moves Past Cooper Flagg in Latest NBA Rookie Rankings