Just when we all thought the NBA Rookie of the Year conversation was starting to settle, Kon Knueppel decided to go absolutely nuclear.
For a month or two, the rookie narrative has been dominated by Cooper Flagg‘s dominant presence in Dallas, and with good reason. Flagg is a beast, it’s that simple, but if you haven’t been watching the Charlotte Hornets lately, you’ve missed a massive shift in the landscape. Knueppel, the No. 4 overall pick out of Duke, just put together a historic stretch, culminated by setting the NBA rookie record for 3-pointers in a single season, and suddenly, that Rookie of the Year race? It’s not just close, it’s getting chaotic. Here is how Knueppel is flipping the script on this rookie class.
Why Kon Knueppel’s Historic Night Changes the Rookie of the Year Conversation
The Night That Changed Everything
On Thursday night, Knueppel didn’t just have a good game, he etched his name into the history books. Against the Indiana Pacers, the Hornets swingman knocked down his 207th 3-pointer of the season, breaking Keegan Murray‘s previous NBA rookie record (206). What makes this absolutely absurd? It took Murray 80 games to set that record in 2022-23, Knueppel smashed it in just 59 games. He finished the game sitting at 209 3-pointers for the season.
In that specific game, he went 8-of-12 from downtown, racking up 28 points and proving that his shooting isn’t just good for a rookie, it’s elite by NBA standards. The guy didn’t just hit a couple of lucky shots, he’s been on fire, hitting 30-plus points multiple times in a matter of weeks.
More Than Just a Shooter
It would be easy to label Knueppel a specialist, but that’s not fair to the game he’s playing right now. The 20-year-old is showing poise that you just don’t expect from a first-year player. After Thursday night, he’s not just breaking 3-point records, he’s leading the league in total 3-pointers made, and he’s doing it while maintaining roughly 19-20 points per game, alongside over 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
He’s shooting over 44 percent from downtown, which is absurd given the volume. According to early-2026 data, he’s one of the few rookies in NBA history to average 18-plus points on 60 percent true shooting. He’s not doing this in garbage time, either. The Hornets have been on a massive surge, winning 13 of their last 16 games to stay in the thick of the playoff hunt, and Knueppel has been the engine behind that run.
The New Rookie of the Year Debate
Before this, it felt like a one-horse race. Yes, Knueppel did take an early lead on Flagg, but Flagg eventually pulled away. Now? It’s a 1A/1B situation. While Flagg has the advantage in general defensive versatility and rebounding, Knueppel is outperforming him in sheer offensive efficiency and perimeter shooting, and he’s doing it with unmatched durability, having played almost every game.
Knueppel shows he’s not afraid of the moment. He’s already shown he can go toe-to-toe with the best, including big nights against his former teammate, Flagg.
Why This Matters
For years, people have debated whether NBA-ready rookies actually exist after the first overall pick. Knueppel is making the “4th pick” look like a massive steal. Hornets head coach Charles Lee has praised him for not being rattled by any situation, a mentality that has helped the team navigate a brutal season into a positive one.
The fact that a rookie is leading the entire NBA in three-pointers, with over 20 games left to play, means he’s not just breaking the record, he’s going to set a bar so high that we may never see it broken again.
So, if you’re still making your Rookie of the Year betting tickets based on pre-season predictions, you might want to reconsider. The Dallas Mavericks have nothing to play for this season and must consider taking care of Flagg, who is the future of their franchise, while the Hornets will be fighting for a playoff spot until the very end. With Flagg currently out with injury, there is at least a possibility that we won’t see him again this season. Knueppel is here, he’s hitting everything, and he’s changed the Rookie of the Year conversation entirely.
Main Image: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
