{"id":701334,"date":"2026-04-06T12:46:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T12:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/701334\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T12:46:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T12:46:14","slug":"mike-conley-jr-reacts-to-keeping-kon-knueppel-in-check","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/701334\/","title":{"rendered":"Mike Conley Jr. reacts to keeping Kon Knueppel in check"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a> absorbed their third straight defeat after getting routed by the Charlotte Hornets<\/a>, 122-108, at Target Center on Sunday.<\/p>\n

The Timberwolves, who are 5-5 in their last 10 assignments, fell to 46-32. The Hornets, on the other hand, scored their fourth consecutive victory and improved to 43-36.<\/p>\n

Minnesota played again without Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, who are both dealing with a knee injury. In their absence, Mike Conley<\/a> Jr. has been reinserted into the starting lineup in their recent games.<\/p>\n

Against the Hornets, he tallied 11 points, two rebounds, one steal, and one block in 22 minutes. He also helped limit Kon Knueppel<\/a> to 11 points on 4-of-14 shooting. The 38-year-old Conley admitted that he took pride<\/a> in making life difficult for the 20-year-old Knueppel.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do, I mean, I\u2019m like 16 years older (sic) than him,\u201d said Conley in a video posted by Timberwolves reporter Andrew Dukowitz.<\/p>\n

\u201cI take pride in defending. I always have, and that\u2019s the reason I still think I can play these games in year 19.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mike Conley on taking pride on defense and holding Kon Knueppel to just 11 points <\/p>\n

\u201cI do, I mean I\u2019m like 16 years older than him\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cProbably more\u201d-@JaceFrederick<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t tell me that, so yeah, I do. I take pride in defending, I always have and that\u2019s the reason I still think\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/Jp0KvOoSlq<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) April 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Knueppel was coming off back-to-back 20-point performances, wherein he shot over 54% from the field, including nearly 44% from the three-point line. He also passed Kemba Walker for the team record<\/a> for most three-pointers in a single season.<\/p>\n

He, however, struggled against Conley, a member of the All-Defensive Second Team in 2013. The veteran guard used his experience and savvy to prevent Knueppel from getting good looks.<\/p>\n

With Edwards still in and out of the roster and McDaniels sidelined indefinitely, Conley will continue to play a pivotal role for the Timberwolves, especially in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

While he is past his prime, he has still proven to be a dependable player. His terrific job against Knueppel was a reminder that Conley can still hang with the young guns.<\/p>\n

The Minnesota Timberwolves absorbed their third straight defeat after getting routed by the Charlotte Hornets, 122-108, at Target Center on Sunday. The Timberwolves, who are 5-5 in their last 10 assignments, fell to 46-32. The Hornets, on the other hand, scored their fourth consecutive victory and improved to 43-36.<\/p>\n