April 8, 2026, 2:30 p.m. ET
Rookie Kon Knueppel has emerged as a top candidate for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.Knueppel stated that making the playoffs would define a successful first season for him.The Charlotte Hornets have secured at least a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament.Charlotte’s path to the playoffs depends on their final seeding in the standings.
Former Duke star Kon Knueppel has exceeded expectations in his rookie season with the Charlotte Hornets, positioning himself among the leading candidates for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award along with former Duke teammate Cooper Flagg.
That said, Knueppel’s main focus has always been on winning.
Ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Boston Celtics, Knueppel spoke about what would make his first NBA season a success.
“Just get in the playoffs,” he said. “Obviously, that’s what we want to do. Hopefully, we can avoid the play-in and get in that way, but that would be a successful year for me.”
With three games remaining, the Hornets are at least locked into an NBA Play-In Tournament position and currently sit ninth.
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If they are to finish ninth or 10th, they’ll need to win consecutive games to reach the postseason.
If Charlotte were to finish in seventh or eighth, they’d have two opportunities to earn one win that’d send them to the playoffs.