Kon Knueppel Makes NBA History: Hornets Rookie Rewrites the Three-Point Record Book

On a night when the Charlotte Hornets walked off the floor empty-handed, one of their youngest players ensured it would still be remembered. In the glow of Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Kon Knueppel quietly carved his name into NBA history, becoming the fastest player ever to reach 100 three-pointers.

The milestone came in defeat — a 139-132 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers — but it felt anything but hollow. For a 20-year-old rookie still finding his footing in the league, the moment represented far more than a single made shot. It was a statement about talent, confidence and a future that suddenly looks very bright for the Charlotte Hornets.

Knueppel Sets New NBA Record for Fastest 100 Three-Pointers

Knueppel reached the landmark in just 29 games, shattering the previous record of 41 held by Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, set during the 2017-18 season with the Chicago Bulls. The shot itself came early — a first-quarter three that barely disturbed the net — but the significance rippled through the arena almost immediately.

In a league defined by spacing and shooting, records like this matter. They place players in a conversation that includes the game’s most lethal perimeter scorers, and they highlight how quickly Knueppel has adapted to NBA speed, physicality and defensive schemes.

Drafted fourth overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, Knueppel arrived with expectations, but few could have predicted this level of immediate impact from beyond the arc.

Charlotte Hornets Finding a Sharpshooter in Knueppel

Against the Cavaliers, Knueppel finished with 20 points, knocking down five of nine attempts from three-point range. The efficiency was striking, but what stood out more was how natural it all looked. There was no hesitation, no sense of a rookie pressing under the spotlight. Knueppel simply took his shots, trusted his mechanics and let the results speak.

Around him, the Hornets showed flashes of their offensive potential. LaMelo Ball led the way with 23 points, weaving through defenders with his usual flair, while Brandon Miller added 20 of his own. Charlotte’s offense flowed for long stretches, particularly when Knueppel’s shooting stretched Cleveland’s defense and opened lanes for Ball to attack.

Yet defense, once again, proved to be Charlotte’s undoing.

Cavaliers Too Strong Despite Hornets’ Firepower

While Knueppel was making history, the Cavaliers were quietly putting together a complete offensive performance. Donovan Mitchell was in full command, pouring in 30 points with a mix of deep shooting, strong drives and clutch decision-making. De’Andre Hunter added 27, and Darius Garland matched that total while dishing out 10 assists, orchestrating Cleveland’s offense with calm authority.

The Cavaliers’ balance told the story. They attacked mismatches, moved the ball crisply and punished defensive lapses. Charlotte stayed close, but every time momentum seemed to swing their way, Cleveland responded with a timely basket or a well-executed possession.

By the final buzzer, the Cavaliers had secured a win that reinforced their position as a dangerous Eastern Conference side, currently sitting seventh, while the Hornets remain 12th, still searching for consistency.

Why Knueppel’s Three-Point Record Matters

Records can sometimes feel abstract, but this one carries real weight. Shooting 100 three-pointers in 29 games isn’t just about volume — it’s about efficiency, confidence and opportunity. Knueppel has earned the trust of his coaches and teammates to take those shots, and he’s rewarded that trust by converting at an elite rate.

In today’s NBA, spacing is everything. A shooter like Knueppel forces defenders to make uncomfortable choices: stay tight on him and risk giving up penetration elsewhere, or help off and pay the price from deep. For a Hornets team built around Ball’s creativity, that kind of gravity is invaluable.

What’s more impressive is how quickly Knueppel has adjusted. Many rookies struggle with shot selection or the physical toll of the NBA schedule. Knueppel, by contrast, looks composed, picking his moments and rarely forcing the issue.

A Rookie Season That’s Exceeding Expectations

Charlotte knew they were getting a shooter when they selected Knueppel, but they’re discovering there’s more to his game. He moves well without the ball, reads defenses intelligently and doesn’t shy away from big moments. Even on the road, in a hostile environment, with history on the line, he looked unfazed.

That composure has earned him minutes and responsibility early in his career — no small feat on a roster that already features established scorers. For the Hornets, it’s a promising sign that their rebuild may have found another foundational piece.

What’s Next for Knueppel and the Hornets?

Must See: Knueppel becomes fastest NBA player to make 100 3-pointers

The record is just the beginning. Knueppel’s challenge now is sustaining this level over the long grind of an NBA season. Defenses will adjust. Scouting reports will grow more detailed. The league always responds.

But if this first stretch is any indication, Knueppel is well-equipped for that challenge. His shooting form is repeatable, his confidence measured rather than reckless, and his role within the Hornets’ offense continues to grow.

For Charlotte, nights like this are bittersweet — progress wrapped inside defeat. Yet even in loss, there is momentum. A rookie rewriting record books gives fans something tangible to believe in.

As the season moves on, wins will matter more than milestones. Still, on this night in Cleveland, Kon Knueppel’s name joined the NBA record books, and the Hornets left knowing they have a shooter capable of changing games — and perhaps the direction of their franchise — for years to come.