Feb. 26, 2026, 9:16 PM ET
INDIANAPOLIS — Charlotte rookie Kon Knueppel, the No. 4 pick out of Duke, set a new NBA rookie record for 3-pointers made when he canned his 207th from beyond the arc Thursday night against the Indiana Pacers.
Knueppel hit five 3s in the first half and broke Keegan Murray’s rookie mark early in the third quarter on a trey assisted by former Duke teammate Sion James. He finished with 28 points in the Hornets’ 133-109 victory, going 8-for-12 from long range — tying his career high for makes in a game and leaving him with 209 3s on the season, which leads the league.
“It’s really just about making the right basketball play,” Knueppel said. “My teammates are setting good screens and setting me up in good spots. The coaches as well. I’m just out there looking to make the right play for my team.” He admitted he hadn’t realized the exact number needed to break the record, joking, “Honestly, I thought I needed seven.”
Knueppel reached the mark in just 59 games; Murray set his record in 80 games in 2022-23. Knueppel is shooting 44.2% from 3 this season and has made 93% of his triples off assists, according to Cleaning the Glass. He has attempted 473 3s this year. For context, Stephen Curry made 166 3s as a rookie (2009-10) and holds the single-season record with 402.
Knueppel’s shot-making has him in Rookie of the Year conversation alongside former Duke teammate and roommate Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 pick. Charlotte’s surge this season has helped lift the franchise back toward playoff contention for the first time since 2015-16.
“It’s what elevates our whole culture when you have a guy that’s that good, but that humble, no ego — it becomes contagious throughout your whole organization,” Hornets coach Charles Lee said after Knueppel eclipsed 200 3s earlier this week.
Opponents have taken notice. Curry praised Knueppel’s quick release, confidence and underrated playmaking, saying his game fits the NBA whether it’s fast-paced or in a slowed possession setting. Donovan Mitchell, whom Knueppel surpassed earlier in the season for rookie 3s, lauded Knueppel’s ability to make shooting look effortless and highlighted his midrange and small pick-and-roll work as unique strengths.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
