Drummond Outshines Knueppel in Play-In Threes

Rookie sensation struggles from deep as veteran Drummond shines

Apr. 18, 2026 at 3:28am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the action of a basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, capturing the intensity and energy of the high-stakes playoff matchup.Veteran center Andre Drummond's surprising 3-point shooting outshines rookie Kon Knueppel's struggles from deep in the NBA Play-In tournament.Today in Miami

In a surprising turn of events, veteran center Andre Drummond hit more 3-pointers than rookie sensation Kon Knueppel during the 2026 NBA Play-In tournament. While Knueppel had a historic regular season, the bright lights of the playoffs proved too much as he struggled mightily from beyond the arc, going a combined 1-for-12 in two Play-In games. Meanwhile, Drummond found his stroke, hitting 2-of-3 from deep to help the 76ers advance.

Why it matters

Knueppel's struggles in the Play-In tournament were unexpected given his breakout rookie campaign, raising questions about his ability to perform on the biggest stages. Drummond's sharpshooting, on the other hand, could be a valuable asset for the 76ers as they look to make a deep playoff run.

The details

In the Hornets' 121-90 loss to the Magic, Knueppel scored just 11 points on 3-of-10 shooting, including a dismal 1-of-6 from 3-point range. His struggles continued in the Hornets' previous Play-In game against the Heat, where he went 0-for-6 from deep and scored only 6 points. Meanwhile, Drummond hit 2-of-3 3-pointers in the 76ers' Play-In win over the Magic, outperforming the highly touted rookie from beyond the arc.

  • The 2026 NBA Play-In tournament took place in April 2026.
  • The Hornets' season-ending loss to the Magic occurred on April 17, 2026.
  • The Hornets' overtime win against the Heat happened on April 15, 2026.

The players

Andre Drummond

A veteran center who currently plays for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Kon Knueppel

A 20-year-old shooting guard who had a breakout rookie season with the Charlotte Hornets in 2025-26.

Charlotte Hornets

An NBA team based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Philadelphia 76ers

An NBA team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Orlando Magic

An NBA team based in Orlando, Florida.

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What’s next

The 76ers will look to continue Drummond's hot shooting as they advance to the next round of the playoffs, while the Hornets will need to regroup and find ways to get Knueppel more comfortable in high-pressure situations.

The takeaway

Kon Knueppel's struggles in the Play-In tournament, despite his historic regular season, highlight the challenges young players can face when the stakes are raised. Meanwhile, veteran Andre Drummond's timely 3-point shooting could prove to be a valuable asset for the 76ers as they look to make a deep playoff run.