NBA: Kon Knueppel shatters rookie 3-point record as Hornets humiliate Indiana

Six threes would’ve done it. He buried eight.

In Indianapolis, Kon Knueppel didn’t just ride the Hornets’ 133-109 thrashing of the Pacers. He wrote a line in the record books. 209 three-pointers this season. New NBA rookie record.

And he did it in 59 games.

KON KNUEPPEL.

MOST THREES EVER BY A ROOKIE 🚨 pic.twitter.com/1aPSC2c3SO

— NBA (@NBA) February 27, 2026

Knueppel makes history

Knueppel had to eclipse Keegan Murray’s 206 threes from his 2022-23 rookie year.

Mission accomplished. 8 of 12 from deep, 28 points overall. The record shot came with 9:41 to play. Little fake, left dribble, release. The ball flirted with the rim, then fell.

Kon Knueppel 28 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 10/17 FG, 8/12 3FG, 82.4% TS vs Pacers

MOST 3PM IN A ROOKIE SEASON – 209 🔥 https://t.co/1gNyce5Vyw pic.twitter.com/UeZVqD9uin

— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) February 27, 2026

209 makes. In 59 games. Murray needed 80.

This isn’t a flash. It’s volume. It’s consistency. A rookie shooting like a vet.

Charlotte on a high

But the night wasn’t just a record.

Brandon Miller piled up 33 points, including four straight threes in the third. LaMelo Ball ran the offence with 20 and 8 assists. Even Moussa Diabaté joined the party with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Result: +24 at the break. 107-82 heading into the fourth. Game done.

The Hornets have won nine straight on the road and are 12-3 over their last 15. The momentum’s real.

Pacers overwhelmed

Indiana never found a rhythm. 3-for-18 shooting in the second quarter. They’ve given up 130 points for the third straight game — a first in franchise history.

Andrew Nembhard finished with 20. Micah Potter 19. Too little. Too late.

A rookie rewriting the script

Charlotte isn’t just stacking wins. They’re building something.

Knueppel, the No. 4 pick in last year’s draft, is becoming more than a pure shooter. He’s a structural piece. A guy who changes spacing, lifts confidence and alters the pecking order.

The record’s his now.

And at this rate, it may only be the start.

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Author

Sacha Stermer

As an NBA and Spurs fan for more than 10 years, I created Buzzer Beater on social media. I also study information and communication as well as write article on Mathodds.