In a historic performance that rewrote the NBA record books, Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel achieved the fastest 200 three-pointers in league history during his team’s commanding 131-99 victory over the struggling Chicago Bulls. The 20-year-old phenom needed merely 58 games to reach this remarkable milestone, surpassing previous record holder Duncan Robinson by an impressive 11-game margin.
Knueppel’s 21-point contribution, featuring three successful shots from beyond the arc, complemented Brandon Miller’s team-high 23 points as the Hornets extended their impressive road winning streak to eight consecutive games. The victory simultaneously extended the Bulls’ dismal losing streak to 10 games, marking their worst performance since the 2018-19 season.
The Wisconsin native, selected as the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft from Duke University, now stands just six three-pointers away from breaking Keegan Murray’s rookie season record of 206 set with the Sacramento Kings in 2022-23. With a league-leading 201 three-pointers already to his name, Knueppel has established himself as the second rookie in NBA history to achieve the 200-three-pointer milestone.
Hornets head coach Charles Lee expressed profound admiration for his rookie sensation, stating, ‘Coaching Kon is both exciting and refreshing. His exceptional talent combined with genuine humility creates a transformative effect that elevates our entire organizational culture. His ego-free approach becomes contagious throughout the whole franchise.’
In other NBA action, the Cleveland Cavaliers returned to winning form with a 109-94 victory over the New York Knicks, fueled by new acquisition James Harden’s 20-point performance. The 11-time All-Star, who recently departed the Los Angeles Clippers, helped Cleveland draw even with the third-placed Knicks in the Eastern Conference standings at 37-22.
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics strengthened their hold on second place with a 97-81 win against the Phoenix Suns, while the Philadelphia 76ers delivered a decisive 135-114 victory over the struggling Indiana Pacers. Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City Thunder secured a 116-107 win against Toronto, while the Orlando Magic edged the Los Angeles Lakers 110-109, and the Minnesota Timberwolves narrowly defeated Portland 124-121.