Charlotte\u2019s sharpshooting rookie nailed a 3-point jumper in the corner to bring the Hornets<\/a> within two points of the Pacers. He then proceeded to make his next three shots \u2014 all from deep \u2014 in a 28-point performance that saw him claim the NBA single-season record for 3-point makes by a rookie with 22 games left to play.<\/p>\n Through 59 games, Knueppel \u2014 who leads the league in 3-point makes \u2014 has connected on 209 attempts from deep.<\/p>\n \u201cJust trying to make the right play,\u201d Knueppel said. \u201cTeammates are doing a really good job of setting me up in good spots \u2014 coaches as well. But, you know, just trying to make the right play for my team.\u201d<\/p>\n Following the win, he was given a water-bottle bath by a few teammates, including guards LaMelo Bal<\/a>l and Pat Connaughton.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, that was not pleasant,\u201d Knueppel said with a chuckle and a smirk.<\/p>\n Knueppel \u2014 considered to be among the favorites for NBA Rookie of the Year \u2014 became the fastest player to reach 200 3-point field goals made in the Hornets\u2019 131-99 win over the Bulls in Chicago on Tuesday.<\/p>\n Against Indiana, the former Duke Blue Devil scorched 8 of 12 3-point attempts (66.7%) through the net.<\/p>\n The 6-foot-6, 215-pound swingman passed Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray\u2019s previous all-time rookie mark (206) \u2014 set during the 2022-23 season \u2014 with 1:05 left in the third quarter.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought I needed seven, kind of, but I needed six \u2014 I didn\u2019t realize that,\u201d Knueppel said with a smile.<\/p>\n Knueppel\u2019s history making outing also included four rebounds, two assists and a steal. He shot 58.8% from the floor without heading to the free-throw line.<\/p>\n \u201cIt started slow in the first quarter, but good defensive second quarter, and from there, just kind of carried it home,\u201d Knueppel said about the win.<\/p>\n Knueppel\u2019s shooting ability is his superpower, but Hornets coach Charles Lee knows he\u2019s more than just a long-range shooter.<\/p>\n \u201cDefensively, he is one of the best competitors we have,\u201d Lee said before the game. \u201cAt times, some of our best on-ball possessions have come from him. When it comes to coverage execution and game-plan execution, his basketball IQ and competitiveness put him in a really good spot to be successful, to get deflections, to get stops, to absorb the contact needed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s got great physicality,\u201d Lee continued. \u201cAnd then, I think the other thing outside of the defensive side, is offensively, how good of a passer he is and playmaker he is \u2014 it\u2019s not all about the shooting. He plays pick and roll for us. He drives and makes really good rim reads and stuff, so just a great overall player.\u201d<\/p>\n Brandon Miller puts up 33 points in third consecutive road win<\/p>\n Swingman Brandon Miller complemented Knueppel\u2019s historic night with 33 points, seven rebounds and four assists. He shot 57.9% from the field, including 6 of 11 from 3-point range (54.5%).<\/p>\n Ball chipped in 20 points, four rebounds and eight assists in just under 22 minutes, while Moussa Diabate posted 14 points and 10 rebounds in roughly 30 minutes. Forward Miles Bridges connected on 3 of 6 shots (50%) for seven points while adding three rebounds and a block.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s important for us to just keep focusing on our daily habits,\u201d Lee said. \u201cBrandon has brought it up a ton, a lot of our guys have, just to find the consistency of what we do. I thought we started the game in a pretty good spot, you let your foot off the gas for a little bit, your execution goes down, you have some turnovers. And it\u2019s like, \u2018How do you find these moments where you\u2019re not having multiple minutes or multiple possessions of like sloppy play on offense and defense?\u2019 So, the great thing about this team is I think we\u2019re really good, and we\u2019re still an unfinished product. There\u2019s still so much room for us to keep growing.\u201d<\/p>\n Coby White, in his second game with the Hornets, produced seven points and six assists. He was limited to roughly 16 minutes of action.<\/p>\n On the opposite end, the Pacers were led by guard Andrew Nembhard, who collected 20 points, three rebounds and seven assists. Forward Micah Potter contributed 19 points and four rebounds.<\/p>\n The Hornets will head back to Charlotte after posting a 3-0 record on the road trip.<\/p>\n This story was originally published February 26, 2026 at 11:00 PM.<\/p>\n Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel set the rookie mark for 3-pointers made in a season on Thursday night in Indianapolis. Jared C. Tilton Getty Images Knueppel\u2019s historic evening in Indiana<\/p>\n
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