Rookie Kon Knueppel ties Michael Jordan's historic rookie record

Knueppel matches Jordan's 26 games with 20+ points on 65%+ true shooting as a rookie

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel tied an NBA record held by Michael Jordan on Wednesday night, recording his 26th game with 20+ points on 65% or higher true shooting percentage. Knueppel led the Hornets to a blowout win over the Celtics, scoring 20 points on 50% shooting from the field and 50% from three-point range. The Hornets have now moved above .500 on the season and into the 9th seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Why it matters

Knueppel's historic rookie campaign has helped propel the Hornets back into playoff contention after a slow start to the season. Matching Michael Jordan's rookie record is a significant milestone and underscores Knueppel's elite scoring ability and efficiency as a first-year player.

The details

Knueppel scored a team-high 20 points on 50% shooting from the field and 50% from three-point range to lead the Hornets to a 29-point blowout win over the Celtics. His performance tied the rookie record of 26 games with 20+ points on 65%+ true shooting set by Michael Jordan during the 1984-85 season. Knueppel now needs just one more such game to surpass Jordan's historic mark.

  • The Hornets defeated the Celtics on Wednesday, March 5, 2026.
  • Kon Knueppel has 19 games remaining in his rookie season.

The players

Kon Knueppel

A rookie guard for the Charlotte Hornets who is having a historic season, tying Michael Jordan's record for most 20-point games on 65%+ true shooting as a first-year player.

Michael Jordan

A six-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer who set the previous rookie record of 26 games with 20+ points on 65%+ true shooting while playing for the Chicago Bulls in the 1984-85 season.

LaMelo Ball

The Hornets' star point guard who had 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in the win over the Celtics.

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What’s next

Kon Knueppel and the Hornets will look to continue their playoff push on Friday when they take on the Miami Heat, who currently sit just above Charlotte in the Eastern Conference standings.

The takeaway

Kon Knueppel's historic rookie season has helped revive the Hornets' playoff hopes, as the team has now moved above .500 and into the 9th seed in the East. Matching Michael Jordan's rookie scoring efficiency record is a remarkable achievement that underscores Knueppel's elite talent and potential as a future NBA superstar.