Hornets Rookie Deftly Sidesteps Stephen Curry Comparisons After Breaking Warriors Star’s Record

Charlotte Hornets 4th overall pick Kon Knueppel has been quietly courting Stephen Curry comparisons in his rookie season.

Hornets Rookie Deftly Sidesteps Stephen Curry Comparisons After Breaking Warriors Star’s Record

Kon Knueppel and Stephen Curry (Image via FirstSportz)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

As Stephen Curry moves slowly towards the end of his illustrious career, many young guns, such as Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel, are seemingly continuing the tradition the Warriors star started more than a decade ago.

Many felt the Duke standout would fall behind in the shadows of illustrious teammate Cooper Flagg. The latter has established himself as an important part of the Dallas Mavericks’ resurgence after their early-season woes.

Where Flagg is the dynamic young star enthralling peers, fans, and media members alike, some have been noticing what his college teammate has been up to.

It so happens that Knueppel has been a revelation for his team, stepping in with his efficient production, which has worked well alongside established stars LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.

After their 2025-ending close loss against the Golden State Warriors, reporters at the Hornets’ media center asked Knueppel what he felt about playing against someone who he would be compared to in the future.

Umm… I don’t know about that.

Kon Knueppel answered

The 20-year-old deftly sidestepped the question as the reporter was trying to suggest that the Milwaukee native was a close comparison with the incredible Stephen Curry.

Kon Knueppel was more concerned about their close 125-132 loss, and did not want to be compared with the league’s all-time leader in made 3-point shots.

Kon Knueppel breaks Stephen Curry’s rookie record

Heading into this game against the Golden State Warriors, Kon Knueppel had 20 games where he recorded one of the most difficult statistics in the NBA, the 50/40/90 split.

Kon Knueppel and LaMelo Ball have hit it off for Hornets
Kon Knueppel and LaMelo Ball have hit it off for the Hornets (Image via NBA Central/X)

One enters that club when they convert 50+% 2-point shots, 40+% 3-pointers, and 90+% from the free throw line. Against the Warriors, the Hornets’ star scored 20 points off 63.6% from the field, 57.1% from the perimeter, and made both his free throws.

That performance saw him surge past Stephen Curry’s rookie record of the most games with that stat line. With more than half of the 2025-26 season still to go, it seems the Duke star is only getting started.

In fact, his current season averages are a tad shy of those efficiency points. If he continues to shoot as effortlessly and efficiently as he is currently doing, it would not surprise many if he ends up breaking another NBA record.

Curry’s former teammate, Kevin Durant, and Mark Price currently hold the record for the youngest players to average 50/40/90 for the season, with both accomplishing it at the age of 24. Knueppel is just 20 years old and seems to be on the path to etch his name in basketball history either this year or in the years to come.

Stephen Curry had high praise for Kon Knueppel

Considering how Kon Knueppel has been slowly and quietly catching the media’s attention, reporters after the Warriors-Hornets game asked Stephen Curry if he had an opinion about the rookie.

It’s impressive. For as young as he is, he plays with such composure. He obviously can shoot the ball at a high level. You can’t leave him open at all. He just has such a good, quick release and shoots with confidence.

Curry replied

The four-time champion added that he was impressed by how the 4th overall pick’s game was suited to today’s NBA, which could help him thrive for years.

Curry was also impressed by how the Hornets’ star played with a composure that belies his age. He knows it better than anyone that it takes years to build that confidence. To see someone that young play in that manner had the 2-time league MVP believing good things will come once Knueppel gets more comfortable in the league.

Also Read: