History wasn't just made in Indianapolis on Thursday night; it was rewritten with a silky-smooth release and a splash of the net. Charlotte Hornets rookie sensation Kon Knueppel etched his name into the NBA record books, draining eight three-pointers to shatter the all-time rookie record for triples in a single season. In a dominant 133-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers, Knueppel not only secured a crucial win for Charlotte but also cemented his status as a frontrunner for the NBA Rookie of the Year 2026 award.
A Historic Night in Indianapolis
Entering the contest at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Knueppel sat just four three-pointers shy of tying the previous record of 206, set by Sacramento's Keegan Murray during the 2022-23 season. true to form, the Duke product wasted no time. Knueppel found his rhythm early, connecting on five triples in a blistering first-half performance that had the Pacers' defense scrambling.
The defining moment arrived midway through the third quarter. off a drive-and-kick from fellow rookie and former Duke teammate Sion James, Knueppel caught the ball on the right wing, rose up with his signature compact mechanics, and buried his 207th three-pointer of the season. The shot didn't just break the record; it demoralized the Pacers and sent the Hornets bench into a frenzy.
"Honestly, I thought I needed seven," Knueppel joked in the post-game press conference, holding the game ball. "It’s really just about making the right basketball play. My teammates are setting good screens and finding me in good spots. Coach Lee has given me the green light, and I'm just trying to repay that trust."
Obliterating the Previous Mark
What makes this NBA rookie 3-point record so staggering is not just that it happened, but how quickly it happened. Keegan Murray needed 80 games to set the previous benchmark of 206. Knueppel eclipsed that number in just 59 games.
Finishing the night with 28 points on an ultra-efficient 8-of-12 shooting from deep, Knueppel has now pushed his season total to 209 made threes. He is currently on pace to not just break the rookie record, but potentially challenge the upper echelons of single-season shooting historically reserved for names like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
"It's what elevates our whole culture when you have a guy that's that good, but that humble, no ego," Hornets head coach Charles Lee said. "He creates so much space for LaMelo [Ball] and Brandon [Miller] just by being on the floor. You can't leave him."
Kon Knueppel Stats: Efficiency Meets Volume
The Kon Knueppel stats profile is a dream for analytics departments. He isn't just a volume shooter; he is converting at a clip of 44.2% from beyond the arc this season. His ability to shoot off movement, transition to the corner, and punish defenses in transition has revolutionized the Hornets' offensive spacing.
Rookie of the Year Race Heats Up
The race for the 2026 Rookie of the Year is shaping up to be a classic duel. While Dallas Mavericks forward and No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg has dazzled with his all-around defensive versatility and scoring, Knueppel's historic shooting season is making the debate much tighter.
Knueppel’s record-breaking night serves as a massive statement piece in his campaign. Voters often value historical significance, and owning the rookie three-point record—by such a wide margin—could be the tiebreaker if the race remains close down the stretch. With the Hornets surging and the Mavericks fighting their own battles in the West, team success could also play a pivotal role.
Playoff Push: Hornets vs Pacers Highlights Impact
Beyond the individual accolades, Thursday's Hornets vs Pacers highlights showcased a Charlotte team that is peaking at the right time. The romp over Indiana improved the Hornets' standing in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, a massive development for a franchise that hasn't seen postseason action since the 2015-16 campaign.
With LaMelo Ball orchestrating the offense and Knueppel providing elite spacing, Charlotte looks like a legitimate threat to make noise in April. As the regular season winds down, all eyes will be on Knueppel to see just how high he can push this new record—and whether it will be enough to bring the Rookie of the Year trophy to Queen City.
