Kon Knueppel set the NBA single-season rookie report for 3-pointers and Brandon Miller matched a season excessive with 33 factors, fueling the Charlotte Hornets to a 133-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday in Indianapolis.
Knueppel highlighted his 28-point efficiency by matching his personal franchise rookie report with eight 3-pointers, boosting his season whole to 209 — three greater than Keegan Murray’s mark in 2022-23.
Knueppel was the fourth total choose of the 2025 NBA Draft by the Hornets, who’ve 22 video games remaining on their regular-season schedule.
Miller, who scored 19 factors within the third quarter, made 11 of 19 photographs from the ground for the sport and 6 of 11 from 3-point vary. His level whole on Thursday matched his output on New Yr’s Eve, set in Charlotte’s 132-125 setback to the Golden State Warriors.
LaMelo Ball collected 20 factors and eight assists and Moussa Diabate contributed 14 factors and 11 rebounds for the Hornets, who prolonged their franchise-best highway successful streak to 9 video games.
Charlotte, which has received three in a row total and 13 of its final 16 video games, shot a strong 55.8% from the ground (48 of 86) and 47.8% from 3-point vary (22 of 46). The Hornets additionally held a decisive 46-37 benefit in rebounds.
Indiana’s Andrew Nembhard contributed 20 factors and 7 assists and Micah Potter added 19 factors off the bench.
Jarace Walker added 16 factors for the free-falling Pacers, who’ve dropped 5 in a row and 9 of their final 11 video games.
Indiana performed with out Pascal Siakam (left wrist sprain) and Aaron Nesmith (sprained proper ankle).
The Pacers claimed a 34-31 lead after the primary quarter earlier than the Hornets responded with a dominant show within the second. Grant Williams sank a 3-pointer on consecutive possessions at one level earlier than Knueppel drained his fifth 3-pointer to cap the scoring and provides the Hornets a 67-46 benefit at halftime.
Knueppel etched his title into the report ebook through the use of an excellent pump faux earlier than calmly sinking a 3-pointer late within the third quarter to push Charlotte’s result in 103-77. He capped the Hornets’ 40-point quarter with a turnaround jumper with 1.7 seconds to play.
Knueppel added his seventh and eighth 3-pointers early within the fourth as Charlotte coasted to victory.
–Subject Degree Media
