Charlotte Hornets rookie guard Kon Knueppel suffered a right ankle injury late in the second quarter and did not return during Friday night’s 120–105 victory over the Orlando Magic.
Head coach Charles Lee said postgame that X-rays on Knueppel’s ankle were negative and that the rookie will undergo further evaluation once the team returns to Charlotte.
The injury occurred with the Hornets holding a 57–48 lead near the end of the first half, when Knueppel went up to contest a drive by Desmond Bane and came down on Bane’s foot, causing his ankle to twist.
Knueppel, who ranks second among NBA rookies in both scoring and 3-point shooting, finished with 16 points—all scored in the first quarter—while connecting on all four of his attempts from beyond the arc. He entered the game averaging 19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per contest.
