Hornets' Knueppel could miss start of season with hamstring injury

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 26: Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers on February 26, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE
Ron Hoskins / National Basketball Association / Getty

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel will miss the entire preseason and possibly the team’s regular-season opener after sustaining a left hamstring injury during on-court activity.

The team said Friday that Knueppel, who led the NBA in 3-pointers last season as a rookie, will be reevaluated during the first week of the season.

The Hornets open the regular season on Oct. 21 against Brooklyn.

The No. 4 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, Knueppel averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 81 games. He was runner-up for NBA Rookie of the Year, first team All-Rookie and a four-time Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month. He made 273 3s, shattering the previous rookie record of 206 held by Keegan Murray.

Hornets forward Grant Williams will also miss the preseason with a hamstring injury and will be evaluated during the first week of the season, the team said.

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