Kon Knueppel is set to miss the entire training camp and is likely to be sidelined at the start of the season due to a left hamstring injury, according to the Charlotte Hornets. The team plans to reassess his condition during the first week of the season, around October 19.
This is a significant setback for the Hornets, who need training camp to revamp their offense following the offseason trade of LaMelo Ball to Minnesota.
In addition, Knueppel’s teammate Grant Williams has suffered a right hamstring injury and will also miss the entire preseason, with his status to be reviewed in the same time frame.
Last season, Knueppel finished just behind his former college teammate Cooper Flagg in the Rookie of the Year race. At 21 years old, he averaged 18.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, shooting 42.5% from beyond the arc. He made history as the first rookie to lead the NBA in total three-pointers made (273), averaging 3.4 per game. Knueppel demonstrated that he can do more than shoot, and will have an expanded role in the Hornets’ offense. However, without Ball’s playmaking, he may not get as many open three-point opportunities.
Williams, who only began playing in January after recovering from a torn ACL, became a regular rotation player during the Hornets’ strong finish last season. He averaged seven points per game and made 38.8% of his three-point attempts, which was important since nearly three-quarters of his shots came from long range.
Fan Take: This injury news is concerning for Hornets fans who were hoping for a strong start to the new season, especially with key players sidelined at critical times. How the team adapts without these shooters early on could impact not only their success but also the balance of power in the Eastern Conference.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
