Kon Knueppel’s long-awaited season debut lasted just six minutes: The Charlotte Hornets rookie left Wednesday’s game against Brooklyn with a left leg injury and was ruled out. The injury’s specifics are unknown; Knueppel had missed the start of the season while recovering from a strained left hamstring.

By the Numbers
  • 6 minutes played; 3 points and 0-for-1 shooting.
  • Last season: 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
  • Made 273 3-pointers on 43% shooting from 3-point range.
  • Charlotte is 3-5 and has lost 4 straight.
Yes, But

The Hornets have not announced whether Knueppel’s latest injury is related to his hamstring problem, and no further details are available. His brief return offers little indication of how long he could be sidelined.

State of Play
  • Knueppel missed the preseason and Charlotte’s first 8 games while rehabbing his hamstring.
  • He was upgraded to probable before tipoff after a recent G League assignment as part of his recovery.
  • Charlotte is looking to build on last season’s turnaround and end a playoff drought of more than a decade.
Bottom Line

Knueppel’s health is an immediate concern for a Hornets team already on a four-game skid. Until the team clarifies the injury, Charlotte’s plans for its standout young scorer remain uncertain.