The Charlotte Hornets were left holding their breath on Friday night after rookie standout Kon Knueppel was forced to exit their road matchup against the Orlando Magic with a right ankle injury.
The injury cast a shadow over what had otherwise been one of Charlotte’s most encouraging performances of the season.
Knueppel went down late in the first half after landing awkwardly while contesting a shot, immediately reaching for his ankle before heading to the locker room. The Hornets quickly ruled him out for the remainder of the game.
Before the injury, Knueppel had been electric. In just 15 minutes of action, the 20-year-old scored a team-high 16 points, knocking down all four of his attempts from beyond the arc and once again showing why he has rapidly become one of the league’s most impactful first-year players.
While Charlotte went on to secure a convincing 120-105 victory, attention shifted swiftly away from the result and towards the health of the team’s most productive rookie.
Charlotte Hornets Await Full Clarity on Knueppel Injury
Postgame, Hornets head coach Charles Lee offered cautious optimism, revealing that X-rays on Knueppel’s ankle were negative. While that ruled out serious structural damage, further evaluation is expected once the team returns home, leaving his availability for upcoming games uncertain.
Charlotte has been careful not to rush injury timelines this season, particularly with young players, and Knueppel’s status is expected to be determined on a day-to-day basis. An ankle sprain would represent a best-case scenario, though even a minor issue could sideline him temporarily.
A Scare That Highlights Knueppel’s Growing Importance
The concern surrounding Knueppel is understandable, as the timing could hardly be worse. He has been in the midst of a blistering run of form, recently joining rare rookie company by reaching 100 made three-pointers in fewer than 30 games.
Through the opening stretch of the season, Knueppel has emerged as a central offensive piece for Charlotte, averaging 19.3 points per game while shooting 42.5% from three-point range on 8.5 attempts per night. He has also contributed 5.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, providing value across multiple areas.
His 597 total points rank second among NBA rookies, trailing only Cooper Flagg at 602, with the pair already positioning themselves as leading contenders for Rookie of the Year honors. Knueppel also ranks fifth among rookies in rebounds and third in assists.
His confidence has grown visibly, and his role within Charlotte’s offense has expanded far more quickly than initially anticipated when he was selected fourth overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Against Orlando, the Hornets showed they can still function without him by leaning on balanced scoring and strong defensive stretches. Over the long term, however, replacing Knueppel’s shooting gravity, composure, and offensive rhythm will be difficult.
For now, Charlotte waits. The win in Orlando mattered, but the outcome that truly matters will come in the days ahead, when Knueppel’s ankle is reassessed. Until clarity arrives, the Hornets will continue to hold their breath, hoping this scare proves to be only a brief interruption in an impressive rookie campaign.
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