Key Takeaways:
- Kon Knueppel registered 26 points, six 3-pointers, and became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 250 threes in a season
- The Charlotte Hornets halted the New York Knicks’ seven-game winning run with a 114-103 victory
- The Hornets drew level with Miami for eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings, though the Heat hold the tie-breaker
Historic Night for Kon Knueppel
Kon Knueppel, aged 20, produced a remarkable performance in Charlotte on Thursday night, scoring 26 points and draining six shots from beyond the arc to set an NBA milestone as the youngest player to record 250 three-pointers in a single season. The guard narrowly missed out on his maiden career triple-double, contributing 10 rebounds and eight assists alongside his efficient scoring.
5 straight on the homestand 😈#HiveMentality | @CorcoranHM pic.twitter.com/ykfSNPVS9g
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) March 27, 2026
Hornets Snap Knicks’ Streak and Strengthen Playoff Push
The Charlotte Hornets ended the New York Knicks’ seven-game unbeaten sequence with a 114-103 home victory that showcased their rising form in the closing stages of the season. LaMelo Ball added 22 points while Brandon Miller offered substantial support with 21 points and eight rebounds. Miles Bridges and Coby White each produced 17 points to round off a balanced attacking display for Charlotte, who have now secured five consecutive wins.
Key Performances and Match Flow
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 26 points and 13 assists. OG Anunoby chipped in with 17 points during a contest that saw both sides display post-season-level intensity. The Knicks, who would have clinched a playoff place with a victory, saw their charge halted by a resolute Hornets squad.
The Hornets made an assertive start as LaMelo Ball scored 10 points in the opening six minutes, helping his side to an early 24-14 advantage. Brunson kept the Knicks in contention, posting 17 points during the first quarter. However, Charlotte surged ahead in the latter stages of the first half, thanks to a barrage of 3-pointers from Knueppel, Ball, and Miller, building a 10-point cushion at the interval.
Charlotte finished the night 16-of-41 from the three-point line, continuing their impressive shooting after equalling a franchise record with 26 threes against Sacramento in their previous game.
Decisive Second Half and Late Drama
During the third quarter, Grant Williams’ three-pointer put Charlotte up 94-76 heading into the final period. Although the Knicks reduced the gap to nine points with 1:17 to play after Josh Hart connected on three consecutive jumpers from the top of the key, Miles Bridges emphatically sealed the Hornets’ victory with a self-assisted dunk with 40 seconds remaining.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kon Knueppel | 26 | 10 | 8 |
| LaMelo Ball | 22 | 5 | 6 |
| Brandon Miller | 21 | 8 | 3 |
| Miles Bridges | 17 | 5 | 3 |
| Coby White | 17 | 3 | 2 |
| Jalen Brunson (NYK) | 26 | 2 | 13 |
| OG Anunoby (NYK) | 17 | 3 | 2 |
Upcoming Fixtures
Looking ahead, the Hornets will host the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night, while the Sacramento Kings are scheduled to visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night.
