INDIANAPOLIS — Charlotte Hornets swingman Kon Knueppel drilled his 207th three-pointer of the season Thursday night, surpassing Keegan Murray’s NBA rookie mark during a 133-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
The No. 4 overall pick from Duke hit five threes in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and claimed the record midway through the third quarter on a pass from former college teammate Sion James. Knueppel finished 8-for-12 from deep and scored 28 points, tying his personal high for made threes and coming within one of the single-game rookie record.
Murray set the previous standard with 206 threes in 80 games for Sacramento in 2022-23. Knueppel needed just 59 games to eclipse it. He now tops the league with 209 made threes while shooting 44.2 percent from long range, strengthening his case for Rookie of the Year alongside Dallas Mavericks forward and ex-roommate Cooper Flagg.
“It’s really just about making the right basketball play,” Knueppel said postgame. “My teammates are setting good screens and putting me in great spots. The coaches, too. I’m just out there trying to help the team.”
Golden State’s Stephen Curry owns the overall single-season record with 402 threes, set in 2015-16. As a rookie in 2009-10, Curry made 166 triples in 80 games—43 fewer than Knueppel has already converted.
Hornets head coach Charles Lee praised the 19-year-old’s efficiency and attitude. “When you have a guy that good and that humble, it elevates the whole culture,” Lee told CGTN Sports Scene earlier this week after Knueppel surpassed 200 made threes.
According to Cleaning the Glass, 93 percent of Knueppel’s threes have been assisted, underscoring his catch-and-shoot proficiency within Charlotte’s offense anchored by playmaker LaMelo Ball. The rookie credits early experience playing against older, taller opponents in his father’s men’s league in Milwaukee for his off-ball instincts.
Opponents have taken notice. “You can’t leave him open at all,” Curry said after a recent matchup. “He shoots with confidence and his playmaking is underrated.” Donovan Mitchell, whose rookie total Knueppel surpassed on Feb. 20, added that the newcomer’s midrange and pick-and-roll work “create advantages for himself.”
With Thursday’s win, the Hornets improved their playoff positioning as they chase the franchise’s first postseason berth since 2015-16.
Source: ESPN
