Nov 14, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel (7) dunks during the second quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Kon Knueppel returned to his hometown of Milwaukee on Friday and registered his best game as a professional to lead the Charlotte Hornets in a narrow loss on the road.

Knueppel produced 32 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals in the 147-134 overtime defeat to the Bucks at Fiserv Forum. He finished by shooting 12-of-20 from the field, including 4-of-9 from 3-point range, in 41 minutes as the Hornets dropped to 4-8.

The fourth pick is the only first-year player to record two 30-point performances this season after reaching that mark on Nov. 7. He is one of six rookies in franchise history with multiple 30-point games, joining the likes of Alonzo Mourning and LaMelo Ball.

"I was pretty jacked to play the game, but I tried as much as I could to treat it like a normal game, so I didn't focus on (returning home) too much," Knueppel said. "Just a close, hard-fought game. You're in there and want to do something for the team, and it came in the form of making shots tonight."

Knueppel is averaging 17.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 40.2% shooting from 3-point range in 12 appearances with the Hornets. He leads all rookies in scoring and has the most 20-point games among first-year players (5).

The 20-year-old has knocked down 39 3-pointers to begin the season, the most by any player through the first 12 games of a career in history. He is on pace to shatter the rookie record, set by Keegan Murray in the 2022-23 season (206).

Knueppel continued a strong start to the season in front of hundreds of friends and family, who hosted the team for dinner at their house on Thursday. He has impressed his team in the early going and was grateful to have them over prior to the game.

"It was special," Knueppel said. "Mason (Plumlee), one of our vets, 35, in year 13 for him, was like, 'I've never done this before. I've never gone to a teammate's house.' So, that was kind of cool. To hear him say that, it was a special honor for us."

This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Kon Knueppel joins Alonzo Mourning, LaMelo Ball in Hornets history after latest game

Reporting by Cody Taylor, Rookie Wire / Rookie Wire

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