Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel made headlines again on Thursday by breaking yet another record, fueling speculation about his scoring potential. However, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has taken the conversation a step further, suggesting that Knueppel could one day join the elite group of NBA players who have scored 70 or more points in a single game, a milestone rarely achieved in the league’s history. Windhorst clarified this feat is not expected to happen imminently but remains a possibility down the line.
This bold prediction emerged just hours before the Hornets played against the Indiana Pacers, where Knueppel was only five three-pointers shy of surpassing rookie Keegan Murray’s record for most threes made in a single season. Knueppel ended up setting a new record at 209 three-pointers with 22 games remaining in the 2025-26 season, cementing his status as one of the most prolific shooters among rookies.
Impressive Milestones Already Within Reach
With this three-point record now in hand, attention has shifted to whether Knueppel can become the first rookie to lead the NBA in three-pointers made or even reach the 300 three-pointer mark for a season. Given his current trends and knack for breaking records, such achievements seem plausible. However, Windhorst’s prediction about a 70-point game takes the discussion to uncharted territory, considering the rarity of such performances.
The Challenge of Scoring 70 Points in an NBA Game
Scoring 70 points in a single NBA game is an exceptional challenge. Historically, only a handful of players have achieved this, with Wilt Chamberlain standing out as the only player to do it six times. Other members of this exclusive club have reached the mark just once. Since Kobe Bryant scored 81 points in 2006, five more stars have joined the 70-point scorers: Devin Booker (2017), Donovan Mitchell (2023), Damian Lillard (2023), and more recently Joel Embiid and Luka Doncic (both in 2024).
Unlike some of these volume scorers, Knueppel currently plays alongside notable scorers such as LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. This lineup composition likely limits his opportunity to have a high-usage scoring night, as the team’s offensive system spreads the workload. Thus, his chances of approaching a 70-point explosion under current conditions might be constrained.
Efficiency Versus Volume in High-Scoring Games
Though Knueppel may not typically account for a large volume of shots, his scoring efficiency could unlock the possibility of a high-scoring game. Luka Doncic’s recent 73-point performance is a prime example—it required just 33 field-goal attempts, including eight three-pointers, paired with near-perfect free-throw shooting (15 of 16). Similarly, Donovan Mitchell’s 71-point output was aided by going to the free-throw line 25 times and making 20 shots.
Whether Knueppel could replicate such a shooting-heavy, efficient night remains uncertain. Windhorst hinted at the potential for Knueppel to have such a scoring outburst, which might not only surprise fans but also make the 70-point prediction more credible in the long term.
Fans’ Interest and the Future of Knueppel’s Scoring Potential
Given Windhorst’s remarks, some Hornets supporters may now be eager to witness Knueppel push his scoring limits to historic heights. As the Rookie of the Year frontrunner, Knueppel’s development will continue to attract attention, with the question lingering if he will ever pursue a record-breaking single-game scoring total. Although such a breakthrough might be a distant prospect, the possibility adds a thrilling dimension to his rookie season narrative.
As Knueppel continues to evolve his game alongside teammates like LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if this rare feat can move from a speculative prediction to a spectacular reality in the future.
“Look, this is not gonna happen this year, okay?”
– Brian Windhorst, ESPN Reporter
“But if you’re looking for somebody who can maybe do it in the future, may I offer up a guy who can knock down some threes. … How about Kon Knueppel II? First off, there are stories out there of 70-point AAU games. … I’m just saying, not this year, but down the line.”
– Brian Windhorst, ESPN Reporter
Windy believes Kon will score 70 in a game one day
"Not this year, but down the line" pic.twitter.com/c8LA4y4Rub
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) February 26, 2026
