The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Charlotte Hornets by a final score of 135-114 on Sunday night. While LaMelo Ball played well in his 14 minutes of action, it was Kon Knueppel who stole headlines with a big performance. The Hornets have received some criticism for selecting Knueppel with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, but he silenced the doubters in his 23 minutes of action on Sunday night.
Knueppel finished the game with 18 points on 6-13 shooting from the field and 4-10 shooting from beyond the arc. He added two rebounds and two assists in the performance. Knueppel has a high ceiling, but there has still been some backlash. The critics will have a difficult time finding anything to complain about when it comes to Knueppel's performance on Sunday, however.
Kon Knueppel is ready to make an impact in the NBA
It may take Knueppel a couple of years to emerge as a true star in the NBA. As a No. 4 overall pick, though, he does feature that kind of potential. Sure, he may not be a dominant player, but Knueppel's shooting prowess and ability to make the right play should set him up for long-term NBA success.
Whether he is a star or not as a rookie, Knueppel is set to make a pivotal impact. The Hornets understand how talented of a player he is, and they will look for him to contribute early in his career. He impressed against the 2024-25 champions on Sunday, something that is impressive even if it was only a preseason contest.
Knueppel's fit alongside LaMelo Ball
Ball also played well, scoring 11 points on 4-7 field goal shooting and 3-6 three-point shooting. He added three assists and two rebounds. Ball and Knueppel seem to be developing chemistry early in the preseason. Of course, there are still things for the team to work on. The early results are promising, though.
Ball is a good passer and should be able to set up Knueppel on a fairly consistent basis. Knueppel's play-making should also not be overlooked, something that will benefit Ball and the team. With Ball and Knueppel on the floor, Charlotte's offense will take a step forward. With Brandon Miller set for a potential breakout season as well, the Horners find themselves in an intriguing position with the regular season right around the corner.