Hornets' Kon Knueppel reacts to 'weird feeling' of missing first game

Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel returned from a one-game absence on Wednesday, and the rookie picked up right where he left off before sustaining a right ankle sprain.

Knueppel was sidelined on Monday in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks after suffering the injury on Friday against the Orlando Magic. He had made significant progress since that victory on the road, clearing the way for him to play on the final day of 2025.

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The fourth pick finished with 20 points, eight assists and five rebounds in a 132-125 loss to the Golden State Warriors at the Spectrum Center. He went 7-of-11 from the field, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range, in 32 minutes of action.

"I hadn't missed a game in all of high school or college, so it was a weird feeling," Knueppel said. "I was getting real shaky before last game, (wanting) to be out there. We got in a really good spot, and the rehab we did, starting in the third quarter of the Orlando game, just getting the ankle ready to go. I didn't really notice it out there at all. We got it to a real nice spot, and I felt good playing today."

Knueppel is averaging 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 42.3% from 3-point range in 32 games with the Hornets. He is second in rookie scoring and is one of two first-year players with three 30-point performances.

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The 20-year-old last week became the fastest player in history to reach 100 career 3-pointers, doing so in 29 total games. He is currently on pace to shatter the rookie record for a season, set by Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray in 2022-23 (206).

Knueppel has emerged as one of the top first-year players after a productive start with the Hornets. He had quite a 2025 basketball season on the court, and the former Duke standout believes he made tremendous improvements throughout the year.

"I feel like I'm miles better and just the understanding of the game, especially the NBA game," Knueppel said. "I feel like just another successful year of getting better each day. It has been a focus for a long time, both on and off the court, and just a fun year for me."

This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Hornets news: Kon Knueppel reacts to returning from ankle injury