Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel
Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel (7).
Key Points
Knueppel averages 19.3 points and is a top Rookie of the Year contender this season.
The Charlotte Hornets suffered a scare Friday night against the Orlando Magic when rookie standout Kon Knueppel exited their 120-105 win after suffering a right ankle injury. Knueppel, who had scored 16 points in 15 minutes, went down late in the first half after landing awkwardly coming down from a rebound when his foot clipped a teammate’s shoe, twisting the ankle.
He remained on the court briefly before being helped off and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Initial post‑game diagnostics offered encouraging news, suggesting the injury may be minor and not season‑threatening. Head coach Charles Lee confirmed that X‑rays came back negative for structural damage, and the Hornets announced he would undergo further evaluation once the team returned to Charlotte (USA Today’s Cody Taylor).
Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel (7). — Source: David Richard-Imagn Images
Amid the injury, Knueppel was spotted in Myrtle Beach on Saturday attending the annual Beach Ball Classic to watch his three brothers compete for Wisconsin Lutheran High School.
In a video shared online, Knueppel was seen walking without crutches, displaying what appeared to be normal gait and movement.
That sight sparked an outpouring of reactions on social media.
“Whew! Dude is an iron man if he finds some way to play next few games,” one fan wrote.
“This is a good sign but I wonder how fit he is to play basketball,” another fan added.
“How can you not love this guy?” a third fan quetsioned.
“Kon is 💯 a star! He’s the NEXT Steph Curry!” another fan declared.
“Wait wtf love to see it,” another fan posted.
Knueppel, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft out of Duke, has emerged as a genuine Rookie of the Year contender this season. He is averaging 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, while shooting 42.8 percent from three‑point range. The 20-year-old has played 31 games this season, coming off the bench only once.
It remains to be seen how long Knueppel will be sidelined and when he will return to action. The Hornets are scheduled to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, and Knueppel is likely to miss that game as Charlotte continues evaluating his status.