Con Knuppel quickly made history in the NBA this season by becoming the fastest player ever to reach 100 career three-pointers. Achieving this feat in just 29 games during Monday night’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Knuppel shattered the previous rookie record held by Lauri Markkanen, who took 41 games.
Before the game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Knuppel had made 99 three-pointers and nailed his milestone shot off an assist from Theon James late in the first quarter. He ended the night with 20 points, connecting on 5 of 9 attempts from beyond the arc. With 104 three-pointers this season, he ranks second in the league only to Donovan Mitchell, who has 111.
Knuppel also set a new Hornets franchise record for the fastest player to hit 100 threes, breaking Brandon Miller’s previous mark of 43 games. This season, he averages 19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, leading all rookies in scoring. The Hornets drafted him fourth overall this summer out of Duke University, where he averaged 14.4 points and 2.2 three-pointers per game in his freshman year.
Despite Knuppel’s record-breaking night, the Hornets fell 139-132 to the Cavaliers. Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 30 points and six three-pointers, while Darius Garland and DeAndre Hunter contributed 27 points each. LaMelo Ball led Charlotte with 23 points and nine assists, and Miller added 20 points. The loss dropped the Hornets to 9-20 on the season, marking their second consecutive defeat.
Fan Take: Knuppel’s rapid rise in three-point shooting is thrilling for basketball fans as it signals the arrival of a sharpshooting star who can shape the future of perimeter scoring. His record-breaking journey not only excites Hornets supporters but also adds a new dynamic to the evolving NBA landscape, emphasizing the growing importance of long-range shooting.
