Kon Knueppel Clutch Again as Hornets Rally Past Raptors in Overtime
It was a night of high drama in Charlotte, and once again, Kon Knueppel found himself at the center of it. The Hornets rookie hit a leaning, off-balance three from the corner with 10 seconds left in regulation - a shot that tied the game and ultimately helped lift Charlotte to a 118-111 overtime win over the Toronto Raptors.
It’s becoming a bit of a trend for the first-year guard. Knueppel’s clutch gene is showing up early and often this season, and Saturday’s performance was just the latest example of his growing confidence in big moments.
Hornets Storm Back Behind Knueppel and Bridges
Charlotte was staring down a 12-point deficit with under six minutes to go in regulation. That’s when the Hornets flipped the switch. The comeback started with Knueppel driving and dishing to a cutting Miles Bridges for a layup - part of a 10-0 run that reignited the Spectrum Center crowd and gave the Hornets life.
Bridges, who poured in 35 points on the night, took full control in overtime, scoring 10 points in the extra period and going a perfect 4-for-4 from the field. But it was Knueppel’s late-game heroics that gave them that chance. His game-tying three wasn’t just a highlight - it was a momentum-changer.
Knueppel didn’t fill up the box score in OT, but his fingerprints were all over the win. He grabbed two key rebounds and made the extra passes that led directly to two Bridges dunks, keeping the offense humming when it mattered most.
A Pattern of Poise Under Pressure
This wasn’t Knueppel’s first taste of crunch-time success. Just two weeks ago, he drilled a pair of game-tying threes in the final 94 seconds against the Milwaukee Bucks - a game the Hornets eventually lost in overtime, but one that put the league on notice. The rookie doesn’t flinch when the lights are brightest.
Now, with another clutch shot on his resume and a win to go with it, Knueppel is quickly earning a reputation as a player who thrives in pressure situations. He’s not just getting minutes - he’s earning trust.
A Family Weekend of High Stakes
Interestingly enough, Kon wasn’t the only Knueppel in the spotlight this weekend. His uncle, Kole Knueppel, was on the field - not the court - serving as a referee for one of the biggest games in college football: Ohio State vs. Michigan.
Kole had his hands full in that one, overseeing a game filled with tension and a few controversial moments. One came when Michigan linebacker Jaishawn Barham appeared to headbutt an official.
While the Wolverines were flagged for a 15-yard penalty, Barham remained in the game, as officials determined he was likely reacting to an Ohio State player and not targeting the ref. Michigan’s defense held strong on that drive, limiting the Buckeyes to a field goal.
Later, Kole was involved in another debated decision - a 35-yard touchdown by Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith. Smith appeared to lose control of the ball just before crossing the goal line, but after review, the call stood. According to Kole, the crew didn’t have a definitive camera angle to overturn the ruling on the field.
A Basketball Family Through and Through
The Knueppel name isn’t exactly common, and fans quickly connected the dots between the Hornets rookie and the Big Ten referee. And it turns out, the basketball roots run deep in the family.
Kon’s father - also named Kon - has four sons, all with “K” names: Kage, Kinston, Kash, and Kid. The extended family includes uncles Klint and Klay, both with basketball backgrounds, and even a maternal uncle, Jeff Nordgaard, who had a brief stint with the Milwaukee Bucks.
So, whether it’s hitting game-tying threes in the NBA or making tough calls in college football’s fiercest rivalry, the Knueppels are making their presence felt on some of the biggest stages in sports.
With Kole possibly heading into high-profile assignments during the college football playoffs, and Kon continuing to deliver in crunch time for Charlotte, it looks like both uncle and nephew could be staying in the spotlight a little while longer.