Rookie Knueppel Comes Up Short in Three-Point Contest

Charlotte Hornets guard finishes third after strong first-round showing

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Rookie Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets competed in the NBA Three-Point Contest during All-Star Weekend, making it to the final round before finishing in third place. Knueppel impressed in the first round with 27 points, but struggled in the second round with only 17 points, as Damian Lillard and Devin Booker pulled ahead to claim the top two spots.

Why it matters

Knueppel's performance in the Three-Point Contest showcased his shooting ability and potential as a young player in the NBA. While he came up short of the title, his appearance in the finals demonstrates that he has the skills to compete with the league's elite shooters.

The details

Knueppel, who is currently shooting 43.1% from three-point range this season, earned a spot in the final round of the Three-Point Contest after an impressive first-round score of 27 points. However, he was unable to maintain that level of accuracy in the second round, scoring only 17 points as Lillard and Booker surpassed him with 29 and 27 points respectively.

  • The Three-Point Contest took place on Saturday, February 15, 2026 during NBA All-Star Weekend.

The players

Kon Knueppel

A rookie guard for the Charlotte Hornets who competed in the NBA Three-Point Contest, finishing in third place.

Damian Lillard

An NBA veteran who won the Three-Point Contest, his third career victory in the event.

Devin Booker

An NBA All-Star who finished second in the Three-Point Contest.

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What they’re saying

“I felt good, got a good score out there first round to make it to the finals. Obviously, kind of crapped the bed there in the second round. It's a long sit. I went first, it was like 30 minutes sitting down (...) tough to get loose again. But yeah, kind of stings.”

— Kon Knueppel (Sporting News)

What’s next

Knueppel will look to use this experience in the Three-Point Contest to continue improving his shooting and compete for the title in future All-Star weekends.

The takeaway

Despite falling short of the Three-Point Contest title, Kon Knueppel's performance showcased his shooting prowess and potential as a young player in the NBA. His appearance in the finals demonstrates that he has the skills to compete with the league's elite shooters, and this experience will likely motivate him to work even harder to capture the crown in the future.