Kon Knueppel and LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 18: Kon Knueppel #7 and Lamelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets react following a basket during the second quarter of the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Spectrum Center on December 18, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
It is a leap too far to say that they are “good” yet. But for the first time in quite some while, the Charlotte Hornets are fun again.
Winners of three games in a row, and seven of their last ten, the Hornets are within touching distance of the long-problematic .500 mark. They currently sport a 29-31 record, good enough for the tenth seed in the Eastern Conference, and have filled the void left by the freefalling Chicago Bulls to get themselves at least a spot in the play-in. And along the way, they have made for some fun performances.
A large part of what makes them a fun watch has been a substantially improved offense. Despite a slow pace, the Hornets are fifth in the NBA in offensive rating, and at the crux of that is how they rank second in the league with 15.9 made three-pointers per game. Since January 1, that average has climbed to 17.0 per game (450 makes in 27 games), and over the last five games, they have hit as many 19.4 per game. So potent has their recent shooting barrage been that, according to StatMuse, LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller sit first, second and third in the league in total threes made since the start of the calendar year.
Hornets’ New-Found Offensive Potency
As the team’s primary creator, Ball has combined the bulk of the playmaking responsibilities with some of the most unabashed shooting confidence in the sport’s history. His ability to shoot off the dribble, catch and shoot, and create space from deep has led to plenty of volume from beyond the arc, and his ability to cast up whatever he feels like has defined the Hornets’ offense for years. Now, though, he has some help.
Knueppel, who is breaking records on the way to a likely Rookie of the Year award victory, has thrived in a complementary role alongside Ball. In addition to setting the NBA rookie record for three-pointers made, he ranks second in total threes made since January 1 behind only Ball, and is leading the entire NBA in made three-pointers on the season, with a clear gap to Tyrese Maxey and Donovan Mitchell. His shooting rhythm and ability to spot up from distance have made him a constant threat, particularly in transition and in Hornets sets that emphasize spacing, yet he is not merely an outside gunner, excelling as a secondary playmaker and reverse driver and showing a package beyond the already-elite stroke.
Miller occupies the third spot in 2026 three-pointers made, giving Charlotte a trio of shooters and scorers. His combination of size, shooting touch and willingness to fire from beyond the arc has helped turn the Hornets’ wings into consistent perimeter scoring options, and although more was expected of his overall offensive game beyond just the outside jump shot, there is still time for him to develop further – Miller has only just turned 23, and Knueppel is still only 20.
Plenty Of Years To Come
Charlotte’s shooting is not just about volume, either. The efficiency is there too, ranking third in the league from three-point for the season (37.8%) and 1st since January 1st (39.4%).
Having multiple shooters who can hit a high volume of threes forces defenses to extend beyond the arc, which in turn opens driving lanes for other teammates and more space for each other. Ball’s dynamic handle and passing, combined with Knueppel’s shooting efficiency and Miller’s scoring versatility, create a level of spacing that few teams can match in any given week. This freedom plays to the strengths of Ball, Knueppel and Miller, allowing each to maximize their shooting talents within the flow of the offense. And “flow of the offense” has been hard to come by for some years, until Knueppel’s arrival.
Ball’s ability to shoot efficiently while also creating for teammates gives him added value as a dual threat. Opponents cannot concede his perimeter attempts without risking open driving or passing lanes. His production from three has not just been about volume, but also about timing, with several long-range shots coming in key moments that shifted momentum or broke scoring droughts. Teams that attempt to blitz Ball often leave Knueppel open on the perimeter, where he has repeatedly taken advantage. Opposing schemes have to account for his shooting on the weak side and his ability to relocate quickly after screens.
While the NBA as a whole has trended significantly toward more perimeter shooting over the past decade plus, it is rare for one team to feature three of the calendar-year leaders in that category. These are not Splash Brothers, but Splash Triplets. The Hornets have leveraged all this shooting talent to produce spacing advantages, generate scoring opportunities and put sustained pressure on defenses across the league. And more than anything, the Hornets now have a buzz about them.