The Charlotte Hornets ushered in a new chapter by inserting first-year players Ryan Kalkbrenner and Kon Knueppel into the starting lineup on opening night, a move that paid off with a victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
Kalkbrenner, selected in the second round, finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds, becoming just the second player in franchise history to post a double-double in his NBA debut. “It’s awesome,” Kalkbrenner said of starting alongside Knueppel. “We’re just going to make the most of the opportunity we get.”
Knueppel added 11 points and five rebounds. Charlotte became the first NBA team since 2019 to win its season opener with two rookies in the first five. Nine Hornets scored in double figures, prompting Knueppel to note, “Everybody ate. That’s winning basketball.”
Southeast Division Notes
Orlando Magic: Guard Jalen Suggs is on a minute restriction as he returns from the left knee cartilage injury that ended his previous season. He logged 19 minutes Friday, deployed in three- to four-minute segments, according to head coach Jamahl Mosley. Suggs will sit out Saturday’s road game against the Chicago Bulls, the second night of a back-to-back.
G League Movement: The Osceola Magic thanked two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion Mac McClung after trading his G League rights to the Windy City Bulls. McClung spent the past two seasons with Osceola and appeared in two games for Orlando last year on a two-way contract.
Atlanta Hawks: Mosley offered praise for former Orlando forward Caleb Houstan, who recently signed a two-way deal with Atlanta. “He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen,” Mosley said, joking that Houstan’s late-night gym visits are likely “driving those guys crazy over there.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
