Knueppel Exits Hornets Debut With Left Leg Discomfort

Knueppel had missed Charlotte’s first eight games while recovering from a hamstring injury. His return lasted six minutes before he left the floor with discomfort in his left leg and could not return for the rest of Charlotte’s matchup with Brooklyn on November 4, 2026.

He scored three points, all on free throws, and missed his only shot, a three-pointer. Knueppel also had two turnovers. The Hornets were left without a player who provides three-point shooting and spacing, an added concern as the team has struggled offensively.

Coby White also briefly left after being hit in the face, but returned and started the second half. Charlotte entered the game ranked 27th in first-quarter scoring, averaging 25.8 points in the opening period.

The team has relied on stronger shooting to avoid falling behind early. Grayson Allen had remained a reserve rather than starting in Sion James’s spot while Knueppel was absent, despite averaging two more minutes per game than James. Whether Knueppel will miss additional time was not established; an extended absence could further challenge Charlotte’s effort to improve its start to the season.