Key Takeaways

• Kon Knueppel averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists across 81 games in the 2025-26 campaign, highlighting his role as a productive young perimeter player.
• Knueppel connected on 273 three-pointers, leading the NBA and breaking the previous rookie record of 206, with a 42.5% shooting rate from beyond the arc.
• His stellar production earned him All-Rookie First Team honors and a runner-up finish in Rookie of the Year voting.
• Coby White suffered a left calf strain on October 5 during training camp, causing him to miss the preseason while Charlotte acquired him from the Bulls in February and later rewarded that move with a three-year, $74 million contract.
• The Hornets’ injury update on October 20 indicated Knueppel (L hamstring), Grant Williams (R hamstring) and White (L calf) had returned to individual on-court activity but were listed as OUT for the season opener at Brooklyn.
• The season opener is scheduled for Wednesday at the Brooklyn Nets, with a 7:30 ET tip and League Pass availability.
• Beyond the immediate injury list, the franchise has signals of building around Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller and Naz Reid as it charts a path to a higher level in the 2026-27 season.