The Charlotte Hornets introduced on Thursday that ahead Kon Knueppel has been assigned to the crew’s G League affiliate in Greensboro, North Carolina for Thursday’s observe.
Although Knueppel continues to be listed as out for Friday’s matchup on the Washington Wizards, being assigned to observe with the Greensboro Storm is an encouraging signal that the second-year sharpshooter is nearing a return after lacking the Hornets’ first 5 video games of the season with a strained left hamstring.
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Friday’s recreation is the primary of a back-to-back for Charlotte, who hosts the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. So maybe the crew is ready to play him at dwelling or possibly his season debut will likely be Monday versus the Detroit Pistons.
Knueppel, 21, suffered the harm simply over a month in the past throughout what the Hornets termed “offseason on-court exercise.” This occurred shortly earlier than NBA groups reported for coaching camp, which Knueppel missed because of the hamstring pressure together with your entire preseason.
Final season, Knueppel completed second in NBA Rookie of the 12 months balloting after difficult 2025 No. 1 general choose and eventual winner Cooper Flagg by averaging 18.5 factors, 5.3 rebounds and three.4 assists. Chosen No. 4 general out of Duke within the 2025 NBA Draft, he led the league by making 273 3-pointers, taking pictures 43% on 673 makes an attempt.
Knueppel helped the Hornets enhance to 44-38 and a spot within the NBA play-in event because the No. 9 seed final season, turning round from the league’s third-worst document at 19-63 in 2024-25.
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Nonetheless, after buying and selling LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Miles Bridges to the Phoenix Suns, many NBA observers anticipated Charlotte to take a step again this season. Yahoo Sports activities’ Kevin O’Connor projected 36 wins for the Hornets and lacking the playoffs.
With out Knueppel, Coby White (left calf pressure) and Grant Williams (proper hamstring pressure), Charlotte is off to a good begin at 3-2 after Wednesday’s 97-89 defeat to the Pistons.
Brandon Miller leads the Hornets in scoring, averaging 25.6 factors on 24 photographs per recreation. Naz Reid, acquired within the Ball commerce, is subsequent at 17 factors and eight.8 rebounds, however was benched for the second half in opposition to Detroit for “not assembly our requirements,” in accordance with head coach Charles Lee. Knueppel’s return will seemingly ease that burden finally.
