Conn Knuepel makes NBA history, solidifies the case for Rookie of the Year

The Charlotte Hornets made great strides toward becoming a playoff team, and a a significant reason for that is a starter for the Hornets Knuppel could. Led by their Rookie of the Year candidate, the Hornets climbed the Eastern Conference standings.

Kneuppel has been one of the best rookies in the league this season, and he entered Thursday night’s game with a chance to make NBA history. Knueppel entered the game against the Indiana Pacers with 201 3-pointers in his rookie season, just five 3-pointers away from tying Sacramento Kings rookie Keegan Murray for most 3-pointers in a rookie season.

In the 2022-23 regular season, Murray made 206 3-pointers in 80 games as a Kings starter. This season, Kon Knuepel hit 201 3-pointers in just 58 regular season games with the Hornets.

With his fifth 3-pointer of the game, all in the first half, Knuepel tied Keegan Murray’s rookie record for 3-pointers in a season.

Knuppel could scored his sixth three-pointer night with 1:05 left in the third quarter, giving him 207 3-pointers on the season.

Charlotte led Indiana after three quarters, 107-82. Kneupel had 20 points and three rebounds through three quarters of the game. Brandon Miller led all scorers through three with 33 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Most 3-pointers made by a rookie in a season in NBA history:

🔹207 — KON KNUEPPEL (59 GP)
🔸206 — Keegan Murray (80 GP)

Congratulations to the Hornets rookie 👏pic.twitter.com/7DaOKSTapaP

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 27, 2026

Hornets guard Kon Knuepel passed Keegan Murray for most 3-pointers in a rookie season.

1. Kon Knuepel — 207 (59 games)
2. Keegan Murray — 206 (80 games)
3. Donovan Mitchell 187 (79 games) pic.twitter.com/lg7AeKs66A

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 27, 2026

In his first NBA season, Kon Knuepel averaged 19.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists while shooting 48.9 percent from the field, 43.6 percent from three and 89.3 percent from the free throw line. This is the most efficient rookie season in NBA history for any player scoring more than 15 points a night.

The Hornets were 12 games under .500 on January 2, 2026 at 11-23. Since that loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte is 17-8, one of the better records in the league. Now 28-31 after winning seven of their last 10 games, the Hornets have a very good chance to be one of four playoff teams and an outside chance to climb into the top six in the Eastern Conference.

The Hornets are currently just one game ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks for the 10th seed in the West and just 4.5 games behind the Philadelphia 76ers for the sixth seed.