Kon Knueppel Stats: Rookie 3-Point Record Shifts Hornets' Momentum and Rookie Ladder

Kon Knueppel Stats now read like a defining metric for Charlotte's season: his 207th 3-pointer — a new NBA rookie single-season record — changes how the Hornets' offense looks, reshapes the rookie race, and raises immediate playoff expectations with 22 regular-season games remaining. The record isn’t just symbolic; it highlights an efficiency spike that has already altered how opponents must defend Charlotte.

How Kon Knueppel Stats are changing the performance map

Here’s the part that matters: Knueppel’s volume and accuracy from deep have had cascading effects on lineup usage, spacing and the Hornets' team shooting numbers. He entered the game with a 3-point percentage that rose from 43. 6% to 44. 2% after the night’s shootout, and his 3-point volume has pushed the Hornets into elite team perimeter efficiency for that outing. That combination — high volume and high accuracy — forces opponents to extend coverage, which in turn creates driving lanes and open looks for teammates.

• Rookie leaderboard: Knueppel moved past the previous single-season rookie mark of 206 3-pointers to reach 207, separating himself from the prior leader.
• Efficiency + volume: He finished the game 8-of-12 on 3s and 10-for-17 overall, a clear sign that his deep shooting is both prolific and efficient.
• Team ripple effects: The Hornets collectively hit 22-of-46 from deep (48%) in the win, a performance linked directly to the spacing Knueppel provides.
• Playoff positioning: Charlotte improved to a 29-31 record and sits tied for the Eastern Conference’s ninth spot, inside play-in range with the regular season nearing its close.

Event details and immediate context

Knueppel’s record-setting 3 came late in the third quarter of a 133-109 win over Indiana: a kickout pass from Sion James led to a pump-fake on Kam Jones, a dribble left and a step-back behind the line. He had tied the previous rookie mark earlier in the game, going 5-for-8 from long range in the first half after making his first four attempts. He finished with 28 points on the night.

The rookie mark surpassed Keegan Murray’s 206 from the 2022-23 season. Both Knueppel and Murray are the only rookies to make 200 or more 3-pointers in a single season, edging the previous benchmark of 187 set by Donovan Mitchell in 2017-18. Knueppel reached the new high with 22 regular-season games left; he entered the game shooting 43. 6% on 461 attempts from deep and left at 44. 2%, listed sixth leaguewide in 3-point percentage.

Charlotte’s supporting cast produced notable night-to-night contributions: Brandon Miller scored 33 points and made six 3s, LaMelo Ball added 20 points with 4 rebounds and 8 assists, and Moussa Diabate grabbed 11 rebounds. Indiana’s lead scorers included Andrew Nembhard, Micah Potter (19 off the bench), and Jarace Walker; the Pacers dropped to a 15-44 mark.

What’s easy to miss is how quickly a single efficiency outlier can tilt role definitions across a lineup: Knueppel’s shooting has already altered who the Hornets look for in late-clock actions and kickouts.

The real question now is whether this record will extend by a large margin over the next 22 games and how opposing defenses will adjust. If defenses collapse on the perimeter to limit Knueppel, secondary creators like Miller and Ball could see higher-volume opportunities; if they don’t, Knueppel can continue to widen the gap on the rookie 3-point leaderboard.

Key takeaways:

• Knueppel set the new rookie single-season 3-point mark at 207.
• He was 8-of-12 on 3s in the game, finishing with 28 points.
• His shooting night helped the Hornets hit 48% from deep as a team and improved their record to 29-31.
• The milestone arrived with 22 games left, suggesting the record could grow significantly.
• Knueppel’s efficiency is part of why he’s in strong consideration for Rookie of the Year honors.

If you’re wondering why this keeps coming up: the combination of volume and elite percentage is rare for a rookie, and it alters both opponent scheming and the Hornets’ short-term playoff calculus.

Schedule note: this record was set during a regular-season game, and the team’s standing places them in play-in range with the remaining regular-season schedule still to be played. Details may evolve as the season continues.