Stephen Curry has long been the gold standard when it comes to three-point shooting - the guy who didn’t just change the game, but redefined the very geometry of NBA offenses. His deep-range dominance has been so consistent, so prolific, that for years it felt like his records were etched in stone. But now, a new name is starting to stir the conversation: Kon Knueppel.
Yes, you read that right. The Charlotte Hornets rookie is not just making noise - he’s making history.
According to recent numbers, Knueppel is currently tied with Curry for the most made three-pointers this season while shooting over 40% from beyond the arc. That’s 99 threes apiece, with both players hitting at an elite clip.
Let’s pause on that for a second. We’re talking about a rookie going shot-for-shot with the greatest shooter the league has ever seen - and doing it efficiently.
Knueppel isn’t padding stats in garbage time or cherry-picking open looks. He’s taking over eight threes per game and converting them at a rate that would make any coach smile and any defender sweat.
That’s not just volume - that’s precision under pressure.
Curry, of course, is still very much doing Curry things. His range, release, and rhythm remain as lethal as ever.
But the emergence of Knueppel adds a fascinating wrinkle to the narrative. For the first time in a long while, there’s a legitimate young challenger stepping into the three-point spotlight - and he’s not just chasing Curry’s shadow.
He’s standing right next to him.
Even NBA legend Reggie Miller has taken notice. In a recent appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, Miller drew a direct line between Curry’s early years and what Knueppel is doing right now.
“Just go back and look at Steph’s first two or three years, in terms of three-pointers made, and what Kon has done this year,” Miller said. “But here is the problem - you got to stay healthy.
Longevity. You’ve got to stay healthy.
Seventeen years, eighteen years for Stephen Curry. Can Kon Knueppel do that over a long period of time?
I want to see it.”
That’s the key question, isn’t it? Curry’s greatness isn’t just about the highlight-reel threes or the jaw-dropping range - it’s about the sustained excellence.
He’s been doing this at an elite level for nearly two decades. That’s the bar.
And while Knueppel is off to a blazing start, the challenge now is maintaining that level year after year, season after season.
Still, Miller’s comments weren’t just cautious - they were also a little provocative. “Dare I say this… is Stephen Curry going to be a little nervous in about 15 years?”
he added, half-joking, half-serious. And honestly?
It’s not a wild question anymore.
Knueppel’s rise is more than just a hot streak. It’s a signal that the next generation of shooters isn’t content with admiring Curry from afar - they’re coming for the crown.
Whether Knueppel can sustain this pace, stay healthy, and eventually threaten Curry’s all-time three-point record remains to be seen. But right now, he’s not just in the conversation - he’s helping rewrite it.
For fans, this is the good stuff. A rookie pushing the limits, a legend still performing at a high level, and a potential passing of the torch moment that could unfold over the next decade.
The three-point revolution isn’t slowing down - it’s evolving. And Kon Knueppel might just be its next face.