Kon Knueppel Stats Tonight: Hornets Rookie's Red-Hot Run Ends With Abysmal Outing in Loss vs. Knicks (Nov. 26)

Charlotte Hornets rookie sensation Kon Knueppel entered Wednesday's game against the New York Knicks scorching hot. Knueppel was averaging 23.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in his last 10 games. He was shooting 50.6% from the field, including 44.1% from beyond the arc, and 93.8% from the charity stripe.

The Hornets welcomed the Knicks at the Spectrum Center as part of a busy NBA Cup schedule. They were also on a six-game losing streak and had only won one game in their last 10. Knueppel was the lone bright spot amid trade rumors surrounding star guard LaMelo Ball.

With an overall record of 4-13, the Hornets are one of the worst teams in the NBA. However, they have an opportunity to give Knueppel and a healthy Brandon Miller an extended run together on the wings. They could represent the team's future if Ball requests a trade out of Charlotte.

So how did Kon Knueppel perform against the New York Knicks? Well, the rookie has finally cooled down after a hot streak to start the season. Knueppel was limited to just six points, four rebounds and two assists on an abysmal shooting night. The Knicks did a wonderful job of restricting his production to earn a 129-101 win.

Brandon Miller had 18 points, four rebounds and three assists, while LaMelo Ball also struggled with his shot to finish with just 11 points. Collin Sexton was the only one who had a hot hand, putting up 15 points off the bench on six shots.

Here are Kon Knueppel's stats against the Knicks:

Players	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	MIN	FG	3PT	FT	+/-
Kon Knueppel	6	4	2	0	0	2	0	29:32	2-11	0-7	2-3	-10

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NBA analyst legitimizes Kon Knueppel's Rookie of the Year campaign

NBA analyst legitimizes Kon Knueppel's Rookie of the Year campaign. (Photo: IMAGN)

In an in-depth analysis of each NBA team's first month of the season, ESPN's Tim Bontemps focused on the positives for the Charlotte Hornets. Bontemps explained that Kon Knueppel is a true contender for Rookie of the Year and could challenge his former Duke teammate, Cooper Flagg, for the award.

"No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg entered the season expected to win the league's top rookie honor in a runaway, but the Dallas phenom's biggest challenger could be his former Duke teammate. Knueppel, behind a rookie-class-leading 18.3 points per contest and his 40% clip from 3, has already impressed scouts with his shooting stroke and feel for the game," Bontemps wrote.

It's understandable for rookies to hit a rough patch. But if Knueppel can manage to maintain his production, he'll have a shot at winning the Rookie of the Year at the end of the season.