Hornets' Kon Knueppel struggles in first postseason game

Rookie sensation couldn't find his shooting touch in playoff opener

Apr. 15, 2026 at 1:09pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the silhouettes of basketball players in motion, with the ball and court rendered in a cubist style, capturing the energy and drama of the Hornets' playoff game.A cubist interpretation of the Hornets' playoff battle, with Kon Knueppel's struggles offset by Coby White's heroics.Oakland Today

Kon Knueppel, the Charlotte Hornets' rookie sensation who led the NBA in three-pointers made this season, struggled mightily in his first career playoff game, shooting just 2-for-12 from the field and missing all six of his three-point attempts. Despite Knueppel's off night, the Hornets were able to pull out a 127-126 overtime win over the Miami Heat, thanks in large part to a strong performance from trade deadline acquisition Coby White.

Why it matters

Knueppel's struggles in the playoff opener raise questions about whether the rookie is hitting a wall after a long season, or if the Heat's defense was able to effectively neutralize his deadly three-point shooting. The Hornets will need Knueppel to regain his form if they hope to advance in the postseason.

The details

Knueppel, who led the NBA with 273 three-pointers made in the regular season, couldn't find his stroke in the playoff opener, missing all six of his attempts from beyond the arc. The Hornets eventually sat their rookie star for the final minutes of regulation and all of overtime, but his teammates were able to pick up the slack, hitting 18 three-pointers in the victory.

  • Knueppel played his 82nd game of the season on Tuesday night, after playing 39 games in his lone season at Duke.
  • Last year, Knueppel logged 1,189 minutes, while this season he's been on the court for 2,585 minutes.

The players

Kon Knueppel

A 20-year-old rookie sensation for the Charlotte Hornets who led the NBA in three-pointers made during the regular season, but struggled mightily in his first career playoff game.

Coby White

A midseason trade acquisition for the Hornets who stepped up in a big way in the playoff opener, scoring 8 straight points in the third quarter and hitting the game-tying three-pointer at the end of regulation to send the game to overtime.

LaMelo Ball

The Hornets' star point guard, who also struggled with his shot in the playoff opener, going 2-for-16 from three-point range.

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What they’re saying

“Kon Knueppel led the NBA with 273 three-pointers in his rookie season. He couldn't sink a single one in his first postseason game.”

— Sean Keane, Sportswriter

What’s next

The Hornets will have to decide how concerned they'll be about Knueppel's downturn. Perhaps getting two full days off before Friday's game will be enough for the rookie to bounce back.

The takeaway

Knueppel's struggles in the playoff opener highlight the importance of the Hornets' midseason trade for Coby White, who was able to step up and carry the team when their rookie star was off his game. The Hornets will need both Knueppel and LaMelo Ball to find their shooting touch if they hope to advance in the postseason.