Hornets' Kon Knueppel breaks tie with Kemba Walker for new 3s record

Knueppel surpassed one of Kemba Walker's records as he made franchise history in the Hornets' win over the Suns.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:04am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting a basketball player in the act of shooting a 3-pointer, with the player's form broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the Hornets' team colors of purple, teal, and white, conveying the dynamic motion and energy of the game.Kon Knueppel's record-breaking 3-point shooting performance is captured in a cubist, geometric style, reflecting the dynamic energy of the game.Charlotte Today

Kon Knueppel, a rookie for the Charlotte Hornets, broke the franchise's single-season record for 3-pointers made in a game against the Phoenix Suns. Knueppel finished the game with 20 points, 4 made 3-pointers, and surpassed Kemba Walker's previous record of 260 3-pointers in a season. The Hornets won the game 115-105, improving their record to 41-36 on the season and holding the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

Why it matters

Kon Knueppel's record-breaking performance is a significant milestone for the young player and the Hornets franchise. It showcases Knueppel's impressive shooting ability and his impact as a rookie, helping the Hornets remain in playoff contention. The record also ties Knueppel with former Hornets star Kemba Walker, further cementing his place in the team's history.

The details

In 33 minutes of action against the Suns, Knueppel scored 20 points, including 4 made 3-pointers. His 4 triples in the game pushed his season total to 261, surpassing Kemba Walker's previous franchise record of 260 3-pointers in a season set in 2018-19. Knueppel is in a tight race for the NBA Rookie of the Year award with Cooper Flagg, and his record-breaking performance is a testament to his impressive rookie campaign.

  • Kon Knueppel set the new Hornets franchise record for 3-pointers made in a season on April 3, 2026.

The players

Kon Knueppel

A rookie guard for the Charlotte Hornets who is having an impressive debut season, competing for the NBA Rookie of the Year award.

Kemba Walker

A former star player for the Charlotte Hornets who held the franchise record for 3-pointers made in a season with 260, until Kon Knueppel surpassed it.

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What they’re saying

“Kon Knueppel continues to have an incredible campaign throughout his rookie year in the NBA. He is fiercely competing with Cooper Flagg for the league's Rookie of the Year Award, helping the Hornets return to the playoff conversation.”

— Richard Pereira, Author

What’s next

The Hornets will look to build on their win over the Suns as they host the Indiana Pacers on April 3 at 7 p.m. ET. Kon Knueppel will aim to continue his strong rookie season and help the Hornets solidify their playoff position.

The takeaway

Kon Knueppel's record-breaking performance showcases his exceptional shooting ability and his impact as a rookie for the Charlotte Hornets. His success has helped the team remain in playoff contention, and his accomplishment ties him with former Hornets star Kemba Walker, further cementing his place in the franchise's history.