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Charlotte Hornets forward Kon Kneuppel has played beyond expectations early in his rookie season, but it hasn’t prevented Charlotte from a 3-7 record.


Another game, another loss for the Charlotte Hornets. 

It is beginning to sound like a broken record screeching on the turntable. 

Here we are not even halfway through November and the Hornets are struggling, in large part because players aren’t available due to injuries.

On Monday, the Hornets (3-7) lost 121-111 to the Los Angeles Lakers (8-3) after leading 40-36 after the first quarter. LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller are still out, Miller’s is his left shoulder and Ball has a right ankle impingement. 

Miller has played just two games but averaged 20 points per outing. Ball has played six and leads Charlotte in scoring average with 23.3 per game. Ball has not played since Nov. 1 when the Hornets lost to Minnesota and 1-4 since. It isn’t rocket science. This team is better when Ball and Miller play. 

While the Hornets were just 1-1 when Ball and Miller were playing simultaneously, one can never truly know what this team would look like 10 games in with them not having played together. 
Hornets coach Charles Lee said before the Lakers game that Ball and his camp have a plan of action to maximize the number of games he is able to play in — but all but pleaded the Fifth when asked about a timetable for his return.

“I’m actually excited about the progress that he’s been making,” Lee said. “Every day, I feel like he’s feeling a little bit better and able to do more on the court. And so I think our training staff and him have sat down, all three of us actually and laid out a plan. And Melo is excited about it, I’m excited about it and our organization is excited about it. At the end of the day, we’re trying to just focus on how we can continue to maximize how many games he can play this season.”

Well, that is great. 


However, this seems to be the same song and dance every season. All offseason the narrative was that Ball was getting stronger and that he is healthier than ever. Well, that has yet to be proven true and while fans and the organization may not want to face the truth, Ball is injury prone. 

On the bright side — if there is one — the Hornets are seeing high-level play from their 2025 draft picks. Fourth overall pick Kon Knueppel has been playing at a level that many would not have expected. He leads all rookies in scoring at 16.4 per game and is also contributing at a high level with six rebounds per game. Against the Lakers, Knueppel was one assist shy of a triple double. 

Even Knueppel alluded to the fact that it is hard to know where your team is whenever you don’t have a full accompaniment of players available. 

“It’s hard when you’re not whole,” Knueppel said. “It’s really hard to see where we’re at and it’s tough because guys have to embrace roles that are maybe different than in the preseason. That’s frustrating, and losing is frustrating, but we’ll keep at it.”

While the rookie’s plucky stick-to-it mentality is endearing, you almost feel for him. He is doing everything in his power to will his team to wins, and it is frustrating to being left wondering ‘what if.’
Lee is impressed by Knueppel’s growth and performances.

“Kon just continues to be Kon,” Lee said, “and he’s growing every day. The matchups he’s getting defensively, the different coverages — he’s able to expand his game on that end. Offensively, he wants to mix it up in every possible facet and impact the game in every way he can; rebounding, making the right plays for his teammates and himself. … [I am] proud of the contribution he gave today. When he plays like that, he helps himself and our team as well.”

So, that is the ever so slight glimmer of hope Bugs’ fans can hold on to. But, it is time to get, and stay, healthy.

Cameron Williams covers the Charlotte Hornets for The Post. 

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