The Charlotte Hornets returned home Monday night hoping to halt their two-game skid, but they faced an uphill battle from the start. Charlotte remained without several key rotation players, including LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Josh Green and Grant Williams. The Los Angeles Lakers were also shorthanded without LeBron James, though they did get a lift with the return of Austin Reaves, who reentered the starting lineup after missing three games.
Miles Bridges, listed as questionable earlier in the day, delivered a strong showing with 34 points, eight rebounds and five assists, knocking down seven 3-pointers to lead Charlotte’s offense. But it was rookie Kon Knueppel, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, who once again drew the spotlight.
Knueppel followed his career-high 30-point outing against the Miami Heat on Friday with another standout performance. The rookie came within a single assist of his first career triple-double, finishing with 19 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in one of his most complete games yet.
With both Ball and Miller sidelined, Knueppel has taken on significantly more responsibility and continues to thrive with the increased workload. Among all rookies this season, he now ranks first in scoring, third in rebounding and first in 3-pointers made per game, solidifying his early case as one of the league’s most productive newcomers.
Despite the strong efforts from Bridges and Knueppel, Charlotte fell short against the Lakers, who were powered by Luka Doncic’s 38-point performance.
The Hornets, now 3–7, will attempt to rebound Wednesday night when they host Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
More NBA news:
- Lakers blown out by injury-riddled Hawks in worst loss of season
- Jaime Jaquez Jr. Emerging as early Sixth Man of the Year candidate for Heat
- Phoenix guard Jalen Green exits with hamstring injury, status uncertain
- Kon Knueppel scores career-high 30 in Hornets’ loss to Heat