Hornets Torch Raptors Behind Knueppel’s Breakout Night
So, this game between the Hornets and the Raptors turned into one of those nights where everything just seemed to fall Charlotte’s way. As I talk through it now, it really felt like the Hornets arrived in Toronto determined to snap their skid, and thanks to a standout rookie performance, they absolutely did.
Kon Knueppel, the Hornets’ rising rookie wing, completely stole the spotlight. He dropped 21 points, and what made it even more impressive was the efficiency — five three-pointers, smooth rhythm, and a level of composure that didn’t look rookie-like at all. On top of scoring, he moved the ball extremely well, finishing with eight assists. It was one of those nights where every time he touched the ball, something good happened for Charlotte.
Miles Bridges kept that energy going too, almost notching a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds. He was especially productive in the second quarter, where Charlotte really started to pull away. You could feel the momentum shifting as the Hornets shot an impressive 50 percent from the field, hitting 37 of their 74 attempts.
Also Read:- Tulane’s Championship Push and CFP Dream Comes Alive
- Opetaia’s Power Tested in a Wild Night on the Gold Coast
There was a bit of concern on the Hornets’ side when LaMelo Ball left early. He played only 12 minutes before exiting with left ankle soreness, but even in that short time he added 11 points and a few assists. His absence didn’t slow Charlotte down, largely because the supporting cast stepped into the moment.
Toronto, on the other hand, just looked flat. You could tell they were feeling that second night of a back-to-back. Immanuel Quickley was the lone bright spot, putting up a season-high 31 points and trying to keep the Raptors alive. Scottie Barnes chipped in 13 points and five assists, but beyond that, scoring just vanished. No other Raptor reached double digits, which made the offense feel heavy and predictable.
A key stretch came early in the fourth quarter. Charlotte strung together a sharp 9–0 run, highlighted by back-to-back threes from Knueppel and KJ Simpson. Suddenly, the Hornets were up by 17, and the Raptors just couldn’t recover. By the final four minutes, both benches were emptied because the result was already beyond doubt.
One painful stat for Toronto: Brandon Ingram, usually their go-to scorer, had a rough night—just 3-for-13 shooting, seven points, and not a single trip to the free-throw line. That alone tells you how out of rhythm the Raptors were.
Both teams now shift focus to Sunday. Toronto will try to bounce back at home against the Celtics, while Charlotte heads back to host the Nuggets. But for now, this night belonged fully to Kon Knueppel and a Hornets team that looked sharp, confident, and in total control.
Read More:
0 Comments