According to Charlotte Hornets insider Rod Boone, Kon Knueppel could make his season debut this week.

Knueppel hasn't played yet because of a hamstring injury.

Even though Knueppel didn't win the 2025-26 Rookie of the Year award, he still had a remarkable season for the Hornets. The sharpshooter averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game and shot 47.5% from the field, 42.5% from beyond the arc and 86.3% from the free-throw line and led the NBA in 3-pointers.

Knueppel claimed the first four Rookie of the Month awards last season, becoming the first Hornet ever to win the award four times.

Here is what else Knueppel accomplished last season, via the Hornets:

At age 20, became the only player in NBA history age 22 or younger to record 250 3PM in a season against New York (March 26).
Passed Michael Jordan for the NBA rookie record for most games with 20+ points on 65% true shooting (27) against Miami (March 6) in his then-rookie-leading 14th 25-point game.

Set an NBA rookie record for 3-pointers made in a season (207) with a career-high-tying and franchise-rookie-record-tying 8 3PM at Indiana (Feb. 26); Knueppel tied his own franchise rookie record.

Set a new NBA record for most games with 5+ 3PM by a rookie with 14 at Atlanta (Feb. 7).

Broke the rookie record for most games with 20+ points on 50/40/90 shooting splits (12) against Golden State (Dec. 31), previously set by Stephen Curry.

Knueppel is one of three rookies in NBA history (min. 25 games played) to average 15 points and 5 rebounds per game and shoot 40% from 3-point range; the other two are Larry Bird and Paul Pierce.

Knueppel and Brandon Miller are the new franchise players in Charlotte after the LaMelo Ball trade.

The Hornets traded Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves this summer. Miles Bridges was also traded to the Phoenix Suns.

Charlotte is 3-5 and has the worst offense in the NBA. Charles Lee's group is averaging only 97.4 points per game. That's last in the league.

The Hornets are also last in the NBA in pace and offensive rating, so they desperately need Knueppel back in the lineup.

Knueppel, the first rookie to lead the NBA in made 3-pointers (272), has All-Star status written all over him. It will be fascinating to see how the Hornets look once the Duke product is back.

Charlotte plays the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday and the Boston Celtics on Friday. Knueppel should play in one of those games.

Hornets' Kon Knueppel Could Make Season Debut This Week

The Charlotte Hornets need Kon Knueppel.

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