Hornets’ Kon Knueppel probable for season debut against Nets

The Hornets are close to getting back a player who should make scoring a little easier for everyone else.

Kon Knueppel has been upgraded to probable for Wednesday’s game against the Nets, putting him in position to make his season debut after missing eight games with a left hamstring strain, per Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints⁠.

That’s welcome news for a team that has lost four straight and sits at 3-5. Through eight games, the Hornets rank last in offensive rating and scoring. Getting one of the league’s best shooters back should help, even if he needs time to work up to his usual minutes.

Knueppel averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists as a rookie, shooting 42.5% from beyond the arc. His 273 made threes led the NBA, making him the first rookie to finish atop that category.

His absence has meant more work for Brandon Miller, who is averaging 23.5 points but shooting just 37.8% on 22.5 attempts per game. Knueppel gives defenses another scorer to account for and Miller another option when possessions get difficult.

The Hornets also recently welcomed back Coby White, who scored seven points in 16 minutes during Monday’s season debut. White is listed as probable against Brooklyn as the team manages his return from a left calf injury.

Siegel expects Knueppel to face some form of minutes restriction, though his final availability and workload have yet to be confirmed.

So this won’t necessarily be the full version of the Hornets right away. But having White and Knueppel available would give coach Charles Lee a better chance to establish the offense he intended to run, instead of asking Miller to carry so much of it himself.

MORE HOOPS | Available NBA free agents by position⁠