Hornets' Kon Knueppel claims major NBA rookie record in blowout win over Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS
Kon Knueppel's first points in Thursday's 133-109 win over the Indiana Pacers came late in the first quarter, but they were worth the wait. With a 3-point jumper in the corner, he brought the Hornets within two points of the Pacers. He then proceeded to make his next three shots, all from deep, in a 28-point performance that saw him claim the NBA single-season record for 3-point makes by a rookie with 22 games left to play.
Through 59 games, Knueppel, who leads the league in 3-point makes, has connected on 209 attempts from deep. He's on a mission to make the right plays for his team, as he said, "Just trying to make the right play. Teammates are doing a really good job of setting me up in good spots — coaches as well. But, you know, just trying to make the right play for my team."
Following the win, he was given a water-bottle bath by a few teammates, including guards LaMelo Ball and Pat Connaughton. "Yeah, that was not pleasant," Knueppel said with a chuckle and a smirk.
Knueppel's historic evening in Indiana
Knueppel, considered one of the favorites for NBA Rookie of the Year, became the fastest player to reach 200 3-point field goals made in the Hornets' 131-99 win over the Bulls in Chicago on Tuesday. Against Indiana, the former Duke Blue Devil scorched 8 of 12 3-point attempts (66.7%) through the net.
The 6-foot-6, 215-pound swingman passed Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray's previous all-time rookie mark (206) — set during the 2022-23 season — with 1:05 left in the third quarter. "I thought I needed seven, kind of, but I needed six — I didn’t realize that," Knueppel said with a smile.
Knueppel's history-making outing also included four rebounds, two assists, and a steal. He shot 58.8% from the floor without heading to the free-throw line. "It started slow in the first quarter, but good defensive second quarter, and from there, just kind of carried it home," Knueppel said about the win.
Knueppel's shooting ability is his superpower, but Hornets coach Charles Lee knows he’s more than just a long-range shooter. "Defensively, he is one of the best competitors we have," Lee said before the game. "At times, some of our best on-ball possessions have come from him. When it comes to coverage execution and game-plan execution, his basketball IQ and competitiveness put him in a really good spot to be successful, to get deflections, to get stops, to absorb the contact needed."
"He’s got great physicality," Lee continued. "And then, I think the other thing outside of the defensive side, is offensively, how good of a passer he is and playmaker he is — it’s not all about the shooting. He plays pick and roll for us. He drives and makes really good rim reads and stuff, so just a great overall player."
Brandon Miller puts up 33 points in third consecutive road win
Swingman Brandon Miller complemented Knueppel’s historic night with 33 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. He shot 57.9% from the field, including 6 of 11 from 3-point range (54.5%). Ball chipped in 20 points, four rebounds, and eight assists in just under 22 minutes, while Moussa Diabate posted 14 points and 10 rebounds in roughly 30 minutes. Forward Miles Bridges connected on 3 of 6 shots (50%) for seven points while adding three rebounds and a block.
"It’s important for us to just keep focusing on our daily habits," Lee said. "Brandon has brought it up a ton, a lot of our guys have, just to find the consistency of what we do. I thought we started the game in a pretty good spot, you let your foot off the gas for a little bit, your execution goes down, you have some turnovers. And it’s like, ‘How do you find these moments where you’re not having multiple minutes or multiple possessions of like sloppy play on offense and defense?’ So, the great thing about this team is I think we’re really good, and we’re still an unfinished product. There’s still so much room for us to keep growing."
Coby White, in his second game with the Hornets, produced seven points and six assists. He was limited to roughly 16 minutes of action. On the opposite end, the Pacers were led by guard Andrew Nembhard, who collected 20 points, three rebounds, and seven assists. Forward Micah Potter contributed 19 points and four rebounds.
The Hornets will head back to Charlotte after posting a 3-0 record on the road trip. Charlotte will host the Portland Trail Blazers at the Spectrum Center on Saturday at 1 p.m.
