Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel stole the spotlight in the Las Vegas Summer League Finals. With a clutch performance that helped the Hornets emerge as champions, fans erupted on social media while reacting to the display.
Knueppel was masterful in the Summer League Finals matchup against the Sacramento Kings. He dropped an exceptional 21 points, five rebounds, and two assists on the night, and also put up the shot to secure the win for the Hornets in the closing seconds of the game.
With under 40 seconds remaining and the Hornets clinging to a one-point lead, Knueppel buried a clutch three-pointer to all but seal the win. Although the Kings made an earnest attempt to mount a comeback, the Hornets emerged victorious behind the forward’s late-game heroics.
KON KNUEPPEL IS CLUTCH 🥶
Big-time 3 with seconds remaining in the #NBA2KSummerLeague championship game! pic.twitter.com/RFfhkF7VUh
— NBA (@NBA) July 21, 2025
Knueppel’s performance through the Summer League has been worth taking note of. With the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft also being named the Summer League MVP, fans shared their reactions.
Kon Knueppel (2025 No. 4 pick) is the #NBA2KSummerLeague Championship Game MVP 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ZowY7QuqO3
— NBA (@NBA) July 21, 2025
“Yeah, this kid’s gonna be good. My rookie of the year pick,” said one with big expectations of the Hornets forward.
“Clutch baby!” reiterated another, while watching the three-point shot again.
“King Kon,” added another, while attaching a GIF of the iconic gorilla, King Kong.
“ROTY?” a fan speculated after the game.
Another fan reacted to the clutch shot and said, “That boy got ice in his veins.”
A fan also compared Knueppel to a Spurs legend and added, “Hes so cold I can see him becoming like a Manu Ginobili type of player to be honest.”
Another compared him to another NBA legend in reverence and said, “Larry Bird reincarnate.”
“STAR. They won the draft,” claimed a fan, praising the Hornets’ scouting.
Another chimed in and said, “I’ve seen enough. Hornets to the NBA Finals.”
“Well deserved! His shooting mechanics are so smooth. Reminds me of watching Ray Allen in his prime – that quick release is going to translate,” praised another fan.
Considering that the 19-year-old had sustained an injury in the previous game and had to play with a headband, his performance seems even more impressive.
While Knueppel had a major impact on the Hornets’ success, the 83-78 victory was a team effort. Hornets center Ryan Kalkbrenner also had an impressive performance, recording 15 points and nine rebounds to go with a steal and a block.
This bodes well for the future of Charlotte, which have typically been viewed as a bad landing spot for players. While the road ahead as a franchise is long, they will enjoy the victory from the Las Vegas Summer League.
With some immensely gifted rookies joining the team, led by a star like LaMelo Ball, the Hornets are poised to be an exciting side next season.
