Hornets Shake Up Starting Five as Knueppel Gets the Green Light vs Thunder
So here we are again, with the Charlotte Hornets walking into a tough road matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the big talking point heading into the night has been the starting lineup. There was some real uncertainty earlier, especially around rookie guard Kon Knueppel, but that cloud has now been lifted. Despite being listed as questionable with a hip contusion, Knueppel has been upgraded and cleared to play, and not only that, he’s been inserted straight into the starting five.
That decision alone says a lot about how much trust the coaching staff has in him, even after a rough shooting night in Chicago. In that game, the shots simply weren’t falling, as he finished just 4-for-14 from the field and 2-for-6 from deep. Still, the belief is clearly there that he can bounce back, and tonight offers him a chance to do exactly that on a big stage.
Also Read:- England’s Bowling Collapse Deepens Ashes Misery in Sydney
- Sweden vs Czechia Set to End Long Gold Medal Waits at World Juniors
Leading the group, as always, will be LaMelo Ball. While his scoring numbers on this road trip have been relatively modest at around 14 points per game, his overall impact has been quietly impressive. The ball security has been the real standout, with an eye-catching assist-to-turnover ratio that shows how composed he’s been. If the Hornets are going to stay competitive against one of the league’s best teams, that kind of control will be absolutely essential.
Brandon Miller also comes into this game with some positive momentum. After a shaky start to the season, his efficiency has noticeably improved over the last several games. His 22-point outing against Chicago, highlighted by four made three-pointers, felt like a sign that his confidence is growing at the right time.
In the frontcourt, Miles Bridges has been doing a bit of everything. Double-doubles have become a regular occurrence lately, and his shooting efficiency on this road trip has been impressive from both the field and beyond the arc. Alongside him, Moussa Diabate makes his return after dealing with a wrist issue. He may not always fill up the scoring column, but his rebounding and physical presence have been missed, and those dirty-work plays could matter against a Thunder team that thrives on energy and defense.
Make no mistake, Oklahoma City enters this matchup as the heavy favorite, especially at home. But with Knueppel cleared, Diabate back, and Ball steering the offense, Charlotte will at least feel that it’s putting its best foot forward. Tip-off is set for around 8:10 p.m. ET, and while shocking the world might be a stretch, the Hornets will believe they’ve given themselves a fighting chance.
Read More:
0 Comments