Hornets’ Kon Knueppel sets rookie 3-point record with 207th
INDIANAPOLIS — charlotte‘s Kon Knueppel reached one more milestone in a exceptional rookie season for the No. 4 pick of Duke.
The Hornets swingman broke Keegan Murray‘s NBA rookie record for 3-pointers, making his 207th on Thursday evening towards the Indiana Pacers. Knueppel related on 5 3s within the first half after which broke the record within the third quarter off an help from Sion Jameshis former school teammate with the Blue Devils.
I’ve completed with 28 factors within the 133-109 winwith his 8 3s (on 12 makes an attempt) tying his profession excessive and touchdown only one shy of tying the NBA rookie record. He leads the NBA with 209 3s.
“It’s really just about making the right basketball play,” Knueppel mentioned after the win. “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.”
It took Murray 80 video games in 2022-23 to determine the record — and Knueppel simply 59 to surpass it. He mentioned he didn’t notice the magnitude of the shot that set the mark.
“Honestly, I thought I needed seven,” Knueppel mentioned.
Golden State‘s Stephen Curry holds the single-season NBA record with 402 3s.
Knueppel is taking pictures 44.2% from past the arc, making him a contender for NBA Rookie of the Year alongside with his former school teammate and roommate Cooper Flaggthe No. 1 choose of the Dallas Mavericks. He has additionally helped propel the long-suffering Hornets into playoff rivalry; Charlotte has not made the playoffs for the reason that 2015-16 season.
“It’s what elevates our whole culture when you have a guy that’s that good, but that humble, no ego — it becomes contagious throughout your whole organization,” Hornets coach Charles Lee informed CGTN Sports Scene after Knueppel eclipsed 200 3s on Tuesday evening.
Knueppel has been an ideal slot in second-year coach Lee’s offense alongside playmaker LaMelo Ball by discovering open spots on the courtroom — a talent he attributes to enjoying in his father’s males’s league towards taller competitors starting as an eighth grader rising up in Milwaukee.
Knueppel has thrived as a catch-and-shoot participant with 93% of his 3s this season coming off assists getting into Thursday evening, in line with Cleaning the Glass.
He has turned heads throughout the league with his excessive taking pictures proportion.
Curry, the NBA’s profession chief in 3s, made 166 on 380 makes an attempt as a rookie with the Warriors in 80 video games in 2009-10. Knueppel has now tried 473 3s.
“He can obviously shoot the ball at a high level,” Curry mentioned after a current recreation towards the Hornets. “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. His game just suits the NBA style, whether it’s fast-paced or a slowed-down possession game.”
Knueppel surpassed Donovan Mitchellwho’s third on the listing of 3s made by a rookie, in a loss to the Cavaliers on Feb. 20.
Mitchell joked that he heard about it after the sport from Cavs teammate Tyrese Proctorwho performed with Knueppel at Duke.
“He’s talented,” Mitchell mentioned of Knueppel. “For him to be a rookie and be able to go out there and make it look effortless. … We know he can shoot the ball, right? But I think him getting to the midrange and play-develop in the small pick-and-roll that is something I think is really unique about his game is being able to do that and create advantages for himself.
“It’s going to be fascinating with him and Coop for rookie of the 12 months.”
Information from The Associated Press was used on this report.
