Kon Knueppel Sets NBA Record
In an impressive display of shooting prowess, Kon Knueppel, a rookie with the Charlotte Hornets, solidified his name in the NBA’s history books on Monday night. The former Duke standout achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the quickest player to complete 100 career three-pointers, accomplishing this feat in just 29 games. This record surpasses the previous mark set by Lauri Markkanen, who reached 100 in 41 games during his debut season.
Historic Achievement Against the Cavaliers
Knueppel entered the matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers needing only one more three-pointer to reach the milestone. Late in the first quarter at Rocket Arena, he received an assist from Sion James, taking him to 100 made threes. Despite the historic achievement, the Hornets faced a tough contest, narrowly losing 139-132, marking their second consecutive defeat.
Game Performance and Franchise Records
In addition to his record-setting shot, Knueppel ended the game with 20 points, going 5-for-9 from three-point range, pushing his total to 105 made three-pointers this season, positioning him just behind Donovan Mitchell for the highest total in the league. He also set a new franchise record for the Hornets, surpassing Brandon Miller, who previously achieved it in 43 games.
Knueppel’s Rookie Season Stats
Entering the game, Knueppel averaged 19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, leading all NBA rookies in scoring since being drafted fourth overall by the Hornets this summer. During his single season at Duke, he averaged 14.4 points and 2.2 three-pointers per contest.
Team Struggles Amid Individual Success
While Knueppel’s stellar performance drew attention, the Hornets struggled against the Cavaliers, who saw Donovan Mitchell lead with 30 points and six triples, supported by Darius Garland and De’Andre Hunter, who each scored 27 points. LaMelo Ball was the top scorer for Charlotte, finishing with 23 points and nine assists, as the team continues to grapple with a challenging season, now sitting at 9-20 after the loss to Cleveland.
