Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel sets Hornets record for 3-pointers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel walked into the postgame information convention and was greeted by a handful of tv cameras blocking his path to the rostrum when he out of the blue jumped out head coach Charles Lee, who doused him with a bottle of water earlier than embracing his star rookie.

There have been loads of causes for the Hornets to rejoice Thursday night time.

Knueppel made 4 3-pointers in Charlotte’s 127-107 win over the Phoenix Suns to set the Hornets’ franchise record for 3s in a season. Charlotte additionally took one other step towards doubtlessly internet hosting a play-in event sport.

Knueppel is a giant motive why.

extra angles as a result of why not https://t.co/HKEzUzGjQX pic.twitter.com/gf8QeefVIG

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) April 3, 2026

I’ve leads the league in 3s made with 261 and is in a battle with Dallas’ Cooper Flagg for NBA Rookie of the Year. Earlier this season, Knueppel shattered the league rookie record for 3s in a season beforehand held by Sacramento’s Keegan Murray.

“I think maybe I’ve surpassed my expectations for myself a little bit,” Knueppel mentioned.

Knueppel wasn’t positive how his rookie season would go after he felt as if he did not play nicely within the offseason after being drafted No. 4 general by Duke. But he began to really feel snug as soon as he obtained to coaching camp and was named a gap night time starter.

“I felt like I had enough to help this team — and we got a lot of talented players,” Knueppel mentioned.

Knueppel wanted 4 3s coming into the sport to interrupt Kemba Walker’s franchise record of 260 set in 2018-19.

He obtained the third late within the third quarter after which had two open appears within the fourth, however missed each. Each time he noticed as much as shoot, the followers within the enviornment rose to their ft in anticipation of him breaking the record — solely to set free a groan after he missed.

“You definitely feel it,” Knueppel mentioned of the gang. “It makes those that go in actual, actual candy, however it’s also like fairly reassuring as a shooter when those you miss the gang (lets out) an audible like ‘ooooh.’ That’s reassuring as a shooter that followers consider in that each shot you’re taking goes in.”

obtained him 😂 pic.twitter.com/wWzVlCjNLZ

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) April 3, 2026

The record-breaker got here on the finish of a wild offensive sequence with Grant Williams finding Knueppel in the left cornerthe place I’ve swished a 3.

Also within the sport, the Suns’ Collin Gillespie set the Phoenix franchise record for 3-pointers in a season together with his 227th basket from lengthy distance, surpassing the mark of 226, set by Quentin Richardson (2004-05).