Kon Knueppel Ankle Scare Puts Hornets Playoff Hopes at Risk

Merlin sees Charlotte ruled rookie Kon Knueppel out after he rolled his right ankle late in the second quarter against Orlando. Coach Charles Lee said "X rays on Knueppel's ankle were negative" and the team will do more testing back in Charlotte. Knueppel had been scorching, 16 points in 15 minutes on 5 for 7 shooting and 4 for 4 from deep, and is averaging 19.4 points through 30 games while the Hornets sit 10 and 20 and 12th in the East. Merlin senses the ripple. Knueppel logs heavy minutes and his scoring lift matters to a team clinging to play in hope. An extended absence would change Charlotte's rhythm and could nudge roster decisions before Feb 5, especially with the club only "open to business to a degree" on trades. Watch the test results and how the rotation adapts.