Charlotte, NC, February 4, 2026
The Charlotte Hornets are in high spirits as they celebrate notable achievements in the NBA, with rookie Kon Knueppel earning his third consecutive Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month title and Head Coach Charles Lee receiving his first Eastern Conference Coach of the Month award. Knueppel shone with impressive performance stats in January, while Lee guided the team to a remarkable winning record, highlighting a resurgence for the Hornets as they aim for playoff contention.
Charlotte Hornets Celebrate Double NBA Honors with Kon Knueppel and Coach Charles Lee
Charlotte, NC – The Charlotte Hornets organization is currently celebrating significant recognition from the National Basketball Association (NBA), as rookie sensation Kon Knueppel and Head Coach Charles Lee have both earned prestigious monthly honors. Knueppel was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month, marking his third consecutive time receiving the award, while Coach Lee secured his first career Eastern Conference Coach of the Month honor for January’s impressive performance.
Knueppel’s Stellar Rookie Campaign Continues
Kon Knueppel’s consistent excellence on the court earned him his third consecutive Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award, a testament to his remarkable debut season. The 20-year-old small forward, drafted fourth overall by the Hornets in the 2025 NBA Draft, showcased an exceptional January, leading all rookies in several key statistical categories.
During January, Knueppel outpaced all first-year players across the league with 302 total points, 105 made field goals, 45 successful three-pointers, and 47 free throws. Beyond his scoring prowess, Knueppel also demonstrated a well-rounded game, ranking fourth among rookies with 101 rebounds and 62 assists for the month. His ability to consistently convert from beyond the arc is particularly noteworthy, as he currently sits third overall in the entire NBA in three-pointers made with 166.
A standout performance for Knueppel in January included a career-high 34 points against the Dallas Mavericks. In that same game, he drained eight three-pointers, setting a new franchise record for the most three-pointers made by a rookie in Charlotte Hornets history. Knueppel’s impressive month also saw him become only the third rookie in franchise history to achieve over 300 points and at least 100 rebounds in a single calendar month, joining a distinguished list that includes franchise legends Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning.
Coach Lee Guides Hornets to Dominant January
Head Coach Charles Lee’s leadership was recognized with his first career Eastern Conference Coach of the Month award, a significant milestone for him and the Hornets organization. Under Lee’s guidance, the Charlotte Hornets achieved an outstanding 11-6 record in January, marking the most wins recorded by any team in the Eastern Conference during that period.
The team’s stellar January included an impressive six-game winning streak. Furthermore, the Hornets demonstrated exceptional balance, being the only team in the entire NBA to rank within the top five for both offensive and defensive rating throughout the month. Their strong road performance was highlighted by a remarkable plus-151 point differential away from home, which tied for the highest road point differential in a calendar month in NBA history.
Lee’s recognition as Coach of the Month is a historic achievement for the franchise, as he becomes only the fourth head coach in Charlotte Hornets history to receive this honor. The last time a Hornets coach earned this distinction was during the 2015-16 season under former coach Steve Clifford. Coach Lee was appointed as the Hornets’ Head Coach for the 2024-2025 season and has a background that includes serving as an assistant coach for an NBA championship-winning team.
Hornets’ Resurgence and Future Outlook
The recent accolades for Knueppel and Lee underscore a significant resurgence for the Charlotte Hornets. The team has been described as “streaking” and “the NBA’s hottest team,” reflecting their improved performance and competitive spirit. This positive momentum was further cemented by a remarkable comeback victory against the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, February 2, 2026, where the Hornets overcame a 22-point deficit to win 102-95, extending their winning streak to seven games.
This impressive run has propelled the Hornets to within a half-game of the Atlanta Hawks for the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference standings, putting them in contention for a play-in tournament position. The team’s collective success, highlighted by these individual honors, points towards a promising future for the Charlotte Hornets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What NBA honors did Kon Knueppel and Charles Lee receive?
Kon Knueppel was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month, and Charles Lee was named the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month.
How many consecutive Rookie of the Month awards has Kon Knueppel won?
Kon Knueppel has won three consecutive Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month awards.
What were Kon Knueppel’s key statistics for January?
In January, Kon Knueppel led all rookies in total points (302), made field goals (105), three-pointers (45), and free throws (47). He also ranked fourth among first-year players in rebounds (101) and assists (62).
What significant records did Kon Knueppel achieve in January?
Kon Knueppel scored a career-best 34 points against the Dallas Mavericks, hitting eight three-pointers, which set a new franchise record for the most three-pointers made by a rookie. He also became the third rookie in franchise history to record over 300 points and at least 100 rebounds in a calendar month.
What was the Charlotte Hornets’ record under Coach Charles Lee in January?
Under Coach Charles Lee’s guidance, the Charlotte Hornets compiled an 11-6 record in January, which was the most wins in the Eastern Conference for the month.
What was special about the Hornets’ performance in January under Coach Lee?
The Hornets achieved a six-game winning streak and were the only team in the NBA to rank within the top five in both offensive and defensive rating during January. They also registered a plus-151 point differential on the road, tying for the highest road point differential in a calendar month in NBA history.
Is Charles Lee the first Hornets coach to win Coach of the Month?
Charles Lee is the fourth head coach in Charlotte Hornets franchise history to win the Coach of the Month award. The last time a Hornets coach received this honor was during the 2015-16 season.
Key Features of the Hornets’ Recent Honors
| Recipient | Honor Received | Scope | Key Achievements (January) | Historical Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kon Knueppel | Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month | Nationwide | 3rd consecutive award. Led rookies in points (302), FGM (105), 3PM (45), FTM (47). 4th in rebounds (101), assists (62). Career-high 34 points vs. Dallas, with franchise rookie record 8 three-pointers. 3rd rookie in franchise history with 300+ points & 100+ rebounds in a month. | Third consecutive Rookie of the Month award. |
| Charles Lee | Eastern Conference Coach of the Month | Nationwide | First-time honoree. Guided Hornets to 11-6 record (most wins in Eastern Conference). Team had a six-game winning streak. Ranked top 5 in NBA in both offensive and defensive rating. Plus-151 road point differential (tied NBA record for a calendar month). | Fourth head coach in franchise history to win the award. |
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