Thomas Bryant's Celebration Backfires, Kon Knueppel Sets NBA Record in Cavaliers-Hornets Clash
Thomas Bryant falls as he does the "too little" gesture https://t.co/CEFJlC1ISi pic.twitter.com/mTyd33gf3z
— mm (@muhtacinm) December 23, 2025
It was a night of milestones and missteps in Cleveland, where the Cavaliers hosted the Hornets in a game that served up both a bit of history and a moment of classic on-court comedy.
Early in the first quarter, Cavaliers center Thomas Bryant found himself with a favorable matchup near the rim. Charlotte rookie Kon Knueppel-a sharpshooter more known for his perimeter game than post defense-was the only thing standing between Bryant and an easy bucket. The veteran big man took full advantage, powering his way to the hoop and finishing with ease.
Then came the celebration.
Bryant turned to let the rookie know about it, throwing out a flex and the now-ubiquitous “too small” taunt as he jogged back on defense. But in his moment of triumph, Bryant forgot rule number one of showboating: keep your footing. He tripped over his own feet mid-strut and hit the hardwood, much to the amusement of his teammates-and just about everyone watching.
Thomas Bryant's "too small" celebration took a wrong turn. 😂 pic.twitter.com/TMsZWryUeI
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) December 23, 2025
The Hornets quickly pushed the ball the other way, and Knueppel drew a foul on the ensuing possession. Meanwhile, Bryant could only laugh at himself as he got up, grinning through the embarrassment. It was the kind of moment that reminds us the NBA is as much about personality as it is about points.
And speaking of points, Knueppel had a reason to smile too-beyond Bryant’s slip-up. The No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft quietly made NBA history in that same first quarter.
With a deep ball that splashed through the net, Knueppel nailed his 100th career three-pointer-doing it in just his 29th game. That makes him the fastest player in league history to hit the century mark from beyond the arc, breaking Lauri Markkanen’s previous record of 41 games.
It’s a fitting milestone for a player who came into the league with a reputation as one of the purest shooters in his class. Knueppel’s quick release and deep range have translated immediately, and now he’s got the numbers to prove it.
100 threes for Kon Knueppel in 29 games... the fastest rookie to ever hit that mark!
— NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2025
Previous record: Lauri Markkanen, 41 games pic.twitter.com/uMxwGlyKVn
As for Bryant, he’s in his first season with the Cavaliers after signing a one-year deal in the offseason. He’s been providing solid bench minutes, averaging 4.1 points and 2.6 rebounds in under nine minutes per game. Monday’s sequence was a reminder that even veterans can have a little fun-and occasionally, a little stumble-on the big stage.
So, what did we learn? Maybe hold off on the “too small” unless you're sure you can stay on your feet. And if you're guarding Kon Knueppel at the arc, you might want to step out a little quicker-he’s not just making shots, he’s making history.