Hornets' Kon Knueppel Joins Michael Jordan in NBA History

Rookie sensation ties Jordan's record for most games with 20+ points and 65%+ true shooting

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel has joined NBA legend Michael Jordan in an exclusive club, tying Jordan's record for the most games in a rookie season with at least 20 points and a 65% or higher true shooting percentage. Knueppel's latest performance, in which he scored 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting including 4-of-8 from three-point range, helped the surging Hornets defeat the Boston Celtics 118-89 for their sixth straight win.

Why it matters

Knueppel's historic performance is a testament to his scoring prowess and efficiency as a rookie, putting him in rarified air alongside one of the greatest players in NBA history, Michael Jordan. As the Hornets push for their first playoff berth since 2016, Knueppel's continued excellence could be the key to ending their postseason drought.

The details

Knueppel, the Hornets' fourth overall pick in the 2025-26 season, has been a revelation for the team, averaging 19.2 points per game while shooting 48.8% from the field and 43.6% from three-point range. His latest 20-point outing, in which he shot 7-of-14 overall and 4-of-8 from deep, allowed him to tie Jordan's rookie record for most games with at least 20 points and a 65% or higher true shooting percentage.

  • The Hornets defeated the Boston Celtics 118-89 on Wednesday, March 5, 2026.

The players

Kon Knueppel

A rookie sensation for the Charlotte Hornets, Knueppel has been a key contributor to the team's recent surge, joining Michael Jordan as the only players in Hornets history to record multiple 20-point games with a 65% or higher true shooting percentage.

Michael Jordan

One of the greatest players in NBA history, Jordan set the record that Knueppel has now tied during his own rookie season with the Hornets.

Brandon Miller

A young star for the Hornets, Miller has been part of the trio, along with Knueppel and LaMelo Ball, that has led the team's resurgence this season.

LaMelo Ball

The Hornets' star point guard, Ball has been instrumental in the team's success and the development of young talents like Knueppel.

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What’s next

The Hornets will look to continue their push for the playoffs when they face the Miami Heat, a team directly ahead of them in the standings, on Friday.

The takeaway

Kon Knueppel's historic performance, tying Michael Jordan's rookie record, is a testament to his scoring prowess and efficiency, and could be the key to the Hornets ending their playoff drought. As the team continues to surge, Knueppel's continued excellence alongside young stars like Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball could propel the Hornets to their first postseason berth in nearly a decade.