Kon Knueppel, the promising rookie from the Charlotte Hornets, is set to face a formidable lineup of experienced shooters in the 2026 NBA 3-Point Contest. Taking place Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California, the event will feature some of the league’s best marksmen, including two former champions, making the competition especially challenging for Knueppel as he chases his next milestone following a remarkable rookie season.
Knueppel Faces Tough Competition Including Damian Lillard and Other NBA Stars
The NBA revealed its roster of nine competitors for the 3-Point Contest, highlighting the surprising inclusion of Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard, a nine-time All-Star and two-time 3-Point Contest winner, continues to recover from a torn left Achilles tendon and has not played a game this season. Alongside Knueppel and Lillard, the field consists of Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey, Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell, Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray, Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis, and Miami Heat’s Norman Powell.
Among these participants, five—Booker, Maxey, Mitchell, Murray, and Powell—were chosen for this year’s All-Star teams, underscoring the intense level of competition Knueppel will face. In addition, Booker won the 3-Point Contest in 2018, adding to the list of formidable opponents Knueppel must contend with.
Addressing the challenge, Knueppel said Monday,
“It’s stiff comp, a lot of good shooters,”
acknowledging the high-quality field. Regarding Lillard’s presence despite his current injury, Knueppel added,
“Dame’s in it. He hasn’t played a game all year, so that was a little bit of a surprise to me. But he’s one of the all-time great 3-point shooters, so it’ll be a fun field and a fun competition.”
?Kon Knueppel, Hornets Rookie
Knueppel’s Rookie Success Sets High Expectations for the Contest
Knueppel has quickly established himself as one of the most accurate shooters from the 2025 NBA Draft class. His rookie campaign has been highlighted by several impressive feats, including becoming the fastest player ever to reach 100 career three-pointers, accomplishing this feat in only 29 games. He also broke the Charlotte Hornets’ franchise rookie record for most triples in a single game by sinking eight threes in a narrow 123-121 win over the Dallas Mavericks on January 29.
Through 53 appearances, the 20-year-old is averaging 18.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3.4 made 3-pointers per game, with shooting splits of 48.5% from the field, 42.8% from beyond the arc, and 89.9% from the free-throw line. His total of 179 three-pointers ranks second in the league, just behind Donovan Mitchell’s 183. His ability to create smart shot opportunities and maintain poise under pressure signals his potential to compete successfully against seasoned sharpshooters.
Implications of Knueppel’s Participation and Prospects in the Contest
Knueppel’s entry into the 3-Point Contest not only provides him with a chance to measure his skills against elite talent such as Lillard, Booker, and Mitchell, but also exposes him to a wider national audience during All-Star Saturday. His presence on this stage comes as the Hornets are generating unexpected momentum in the midseason stretch, holding a 25-29 record and showing promise for carving out a stronger playoff position.
If Knueppel can leverage his sharpshooting prowess to upset the veterans and former champions, it would cement his reputation as a rising star in the NBA and solidify his role as a key figure in Charlotte’s ongoing success. This competition serves as an important moment for the young shooter to demonstrate his ability to perform under pressure and to capture the attention of league fans and analysts alike during a critical stage of the season.
Asked Kon Knueppel about the field in the 3-point contest during All-Star weekend. He said it's a stiff competition and was surprised Damian Lillard is in the group since he hasn't played all season. pic.twitter.com/5VNsh8vkCY
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) February 9, 2026
Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel weighs in on his chances in a stacked NBA 3-Point Contest field, featuring two past winners. pic.twitter.com/KzPRL7dNOt
— StatHunter (@stat_hunter) February 10, 2026
