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Kon Knueppel, Grant Williams to Miss Hornets’ Preseason With Hamstring Injuries
Charlotte will reassess both players during the opening week of the regular season, leaving Knueppel’s availability uncertain as the Hornets prepare for a larger role for him.
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Hamstring injuries interrupt Charlotte’s preparations
Charlotte’s preseason will proceed without Kon Knueppel and Grant Williams after the Hornets announced Friday that both players are dealing with hamstring injuries. Knueppel hurt his left hamstring during offseason work on the court. Williams, a veteran forward, has an injury to his right hamstring. Both have been ruled out of Charlotte’s four preseason games, with their next evaluations scheduled for the opening week of the regular season. That timetable leaves their return dates unresolved. The planned reassessments are the next step in determining availability, rather than confirmation that either player will be ready to play when the regular season begins.
Knueppel’s absence comes ahead of increased expectations
The setback comes as Charlotte prepares to lean more heavily on Knueppel following the summer trade that sent LaMelo Ball to Minnesota. Knueppel made an immediate impact as a rookie, leading the league with 273 made 3-pointers. He became the first rookie to finish atop that category while averaging 18.5 points and 5.3 rebounds and shooting 42.5% from beyond the arc. Williams’ absence also removes an experienced option from Charlotte’s preseason preparations. Across seven seasons, he has averaged 7.2 points and 3.7 rebounds. For now, the Hornets must prepare without either player while awaiting their regular-season evaluations.
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