Knueppel Hamstring Strain Deepens Hornets' Early Troubles

Overview

• The Hornets announced Sunday that Kon Knueppel has a left hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated in four weeks, taking their leading rookie 3-point shooter out of the lineup for the near term.
• Knueppel reaggravated the same hamstring just six minutes into his season debut on Nov. 4 after returning from an earlier absence, exiting with what the team first called left‑leg soreness before the formal diagnosis.
• Charlotte has fallen to 3-7 and has the NBA's worst offensive rating (99.7) and a minus-14.2 net rating, reflecting a sharp drop in scoring and spacing while multiple starters have missed time.
• Naz Reid is under intensified scrutiny after a benching and a dip in shooting efficiency in his new, larger role for Charlotte, and public figures have questioned whether he fits the team's direction.
• If Knueppel's absence stretches past the holiday period it could erode the Hornets' season progress, so the focus now is on staged rehab steps, possible G League work and the health timetables for Brandon Miller and Grant Williams.