Charlotte Hornets Win 2025 NBA Summer League , Knueppel Named MVP

Hornets Go Undefeated to Win NBA Summer League – Rookie Kon Knueppel Steals the Show

The Charlotte Hornets just made some serious noise in Las Vegas.

In a tournament often overlooked by casual fans, the Hornets turned heads with a perfect 6–0 record and took home their first-ever NBA Summer League Championship, beating the Sacramento Kings 83–78 in a tight final. But the real spotlight? That belonged to rookie guard Kon Knueppel, who walked away with MVP honors after a clutch performance that felt like a veteran’s work.

A Gritty, Team-Focused Win

This wasn’t one of those flashy, blowout Summer League wins. The Hornets had to work for it. The Kings pushed hard in the fourth quarter, trimming Charlotte’s lead to just three with under two minutes to go.

But the Hornets didn’t flinch. They stayed composed, got stops when they needed to, and hit big shots down the stretch.

• Final Score: Hornets 83 – Kings 78
• Team Record: 6 wins, 0 losses
• Turnovers Forced (Final): 14
• 3PT Shooting: 42% (9-for-21)

“Every guy came here locked in,” said Hornets head coach Dutch Gately. “We didn’t just want to ‘develop’ — we wanted to win. And they showed up every night.”

NBA Summer League Official Site

Meet Kon Knueppel – The MVP Rookie You’ll Be Hearing More About

Let’s talk about the guy who made the biggest impact: Kon Knueppel, Charlotte’s first-round pick out of Marquette.

In the championship game, he dropped:

• 21 points
• 5 rebounds
• 2 assists
• 8-of-13 shooting from the field

Throughout the tournament, Knueppel averaged:

• 17.4 points per game
• 4.8 rebounds
• 3.2 assists
• 47% FG / 38% from 3

What stood out most wasn’t just the numbers — it was how calm and confident he looked doing it. He read defenses like a veteran, took smart shots, and played solid perimeter defense.

“I just wanted to show I can play at this level,” Knueppel said postgame. “Winning a championship with these guys makes it even better.”

ESPN coverage of Hornets vs Kings

Why This Actually Matters (Even if It’s “Just” Summer League)

It’s easy to dismiss Summer League as meaningless. And sure, it's not the regular season — but it does tell you something about a team’s culture, depth, and future.

For a franchise like Charlotte that’s been rebuilding for years and hasn’t sniffed the playoffs since 2016, this win matters. It shows their young core — including Brandon Miller, Nick Smith Jr., and now Knueppel — is coming together. It also shows they’re playing to win, not just “developing talent.”

This team looked sharp, unselfish, and hungry. And after years of watching Charlotte struggle to stay competitive, that’s worth getting excited about.

Kon Knueppel Marquette Basketball Profile

What Fans and Analysts Are Saying

Social media lit up after the win — here are a few reactions:

• @KevinOConnorNBA: “Kon Knueppel is smooth. Charlotte has a real player on their hands.”
• @HornetsBuzzFan: “We finally drafted someone who looks NBA-ready on day one. LET’S GO.”

Even national outlets took notice. ESPN called Knueppel “the most composed rookie on the floor all week,” and Bleacher Report named him Top 5 in overall tournament impact.

What’s Next for the Hornets?

Summer League is wrapped — but the real work starts now.

• Training Camp: Opens in late September
• Preseason: Starts October 5
• Regular Season: Kicks off October 24

Knueppel is expected to fight for rotation minutes right away, and with LaMelo Ball returning from injury and Brandon Miller entering year two, Charlotte might surprise people this season.

“Winning in July doesn’t guarantee success in April,” Coach Gately said. “But it’s a hell of a place to start.”

Quick Recap

• Hornets win first NBA Summer League title
• 6–0 record, beat Kings in final (83–78)
• Kon Knueppel named MVP (21 pts, 5 reb in final)
• Strong performances from Miller, Smith Jr., and Mann
• Big step forward for a rebuilding franchise

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Final Thought: Can This Carry Over?

Hornets fans have had plenty of false hope before. But this feels different — not because of hype, but because of execution. The team looks more confident, more connected, and finally like they’re building something that makes sense.

If Knueppel keeps this up, and Ball stays healthy, the Hornets might not just be fun — they might actually be good.