Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel has set a clear target for his return from a left hamstring injury: the team's regular season opener on October 21st in Brooklyn. The 21-year-old made this declaration at the team's Media Day, directly contradicting the organization's more cautious public stance on a timetable. This comes as the Hornets look to build on a strong finish to the 2025-26 season, where they won three of their last five games, including a 110-96 victory over the New York Knicks on April 12th.
The Hornets have already stated that Knueppel will miss the entire preseason schedule. General manager Jeff Peterson declined to comment on a potential return date, noting the player will be re-evaluated during the first week of the regular season. Knueppel suffered the injury on September 9th during a pickup game at the Hornets' practice facility. He described feeling a pull in his hamstring while going coast-to-coast after a defensive rebound. "It feels good," Knueppel said Monday. "I'm not dealing with any pain now."
Knueppel's health is a major factor for Charlotte's upcoming campaign. After trading away top scorers LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, the Hornets will need Knueppel to take on a larger offensive role. He was a breakout star as a rookie, leading the entire NBA with 273 three-pointers and finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting. His durability has been a hallmark, as he missed just one game last season due to a badly rolled ankle. This hamstring issue represents the first extended rehab process of his basketball career.
Teammate Sion James, who played with Knueppel at Duke, said his friend is handling the setback well. "Kon's the same guy every day, whether he's hurt or not," James noted. "He's always got a great attitude." Knueppel emphasized his history of playing through issues, pointing out he didn't miss a game in college or high school either.
Even before the injury, Knueppel focused on expanding his game beyond his elite shooting. He spent the summer working on his ballhandling, driving to the basket, and finishing through contact. Improving his left hand was a specific point of emphasis. "I've been working a lot on finishing," Knueppel explained. "A lot of secondary playmaking. Ballhandling... Getting more comfortable with the (left) hand was huge this summer." This development will be key as defenses likely scheme to run him off the three-point line.
The team's immediate focus is on preseason preparations without one of its core players. The regular season begins with a road game against the Brooklyn Nets on October 21st, followed by the home opener versus the Atlanta Hawks on October 23rd. Knueppel's goal is to be ready for that first tip-off. His progress will be one of the main storylines to monitor, which fans can track on our injuries page. The Hornets hope to carry the momentum from their late-season form, which saw wins over the Timberwolves, Pacers, Suns, and Knicks, into the new year.
