Kon Knueppel exits early in season debut

Kon Knueppel, the Hornets' 21-year-old wing, left the game after six minutes in his season debut due to left leg soreness. The Hornets attributed his early exit to the injury, which appears to have worsened during the game.

Knueppel, who finished second in NBA Rookie of the Year voting last season, had missed the first eight games of the season with a left hamstring injury. His return was expected to provide a boost to a team struggling with a five-game losing streak.

The Hornets, who were one of the biggest surprises last season, going 44-38 after finishing 19-63, have started this year 3-6. Coach Charles Lee did not have an update after the game.

Charlotte selected Knueppel with the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. He averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game last season, shooting 47.5% from the field and 42.5% from beyond the arc on 7.9 attempts per game.

The Hornets sent LaMelo Ball to the Timberwolves as part of a four-team trade, acquiring big man Naz Reid and multiple draft picks. Reid has been off to a strong start, averaging 16.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, but the team has hit a five-game skid after starting the season 3-1.

Brandon Miller, the team's leading scorer at 22 points per game, has been a key performer, but without Knueppel, the Hornets will have a hard time snapping their decade-long playoff drought.