Kon Knueppel rookie became the fastest player in NBA history to reach 100 career made three-pointers, hitting the milestone in just 29 games during Monday night’s 139–132 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. The record-breaking shot came with 49.2 seconds left in the first quarter, a quick-release three that felt almost inevitable given the way Knueppel’s season has unfolded.
Kon Knueppel’s Historic Feat
The Charlotte Hornets rookie finished the night 5-of-7 from beyond the arc and scored 20 points, continuing what has been one of the most impressive shooting starts by a rookie the NBA has ever seen.
The previous benchmark belonged to Lauri Markkanen, who needed 41 games to hit 100 threes during the 2017–18 season. Warriors star Stephen Curry, the NBA’s all-time leader in made three-pointers, took 58 games to reach the same mark. Knueppel cleared them all- by a wide margin.
At just 20 years old, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft has quickly established himself as one of the league’s most dangerous perimeter threats. Entering the game, Kon Knueppel was averaging 19.4 points per contest while shooting 40.9% from three on a hefty 8.6 attempts per game, numbers that place him among the NBA’s elite shooters-a not just among rookies.
Hornets head coach Charles Lee said Knueppel’s historic start is no accident.
“First and foremost, it’s his natural ability to shoot the ball,” Lee said. “He’s got a phenomenal base, early shot prep, and great mechanics. A lot of credit goes to everyone who helped build that foundation.”
Beyond the shooting, Lee emphasized Knueppel’s feel for the game- his movement without the ball, willingness to sprint into open space, and ability to function as both a scorer and facilitator. That versatility has made him difficult for defenses to track and invaluable within Charlotte’s offense.
The game itself was tightly contested early, featuring 12 lead changes and 10 ties before halftime. Charlotte received strong contributions from LaMelo Ball, who scored over 20 points and added nine assists, and Brandon Miller, who finished with 20 of his own. But Cleveland’s firepower proved decisive. Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 30 points, while Darius Garland posted 27 points and 10 assists, helping the Cavaliers snap a three-game losing streak.
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For the Hornets, now 9–20 and 12th in the Eastern Conference, the loss was another reminder that progress and growing pains often coexist- especially with a young roster. Still, Knueppel’s achievement provided a bright spotlight moment on a national stage, giving fans around the league a glimpse of Charlotte’s future.
Records usually come with time, patience, and longevity. Knueppel skipped all that.
In just 29 games, he didn’t just arrive- he rewrote the record book.
