Kon Knueppel injury cuts his season debut short after six minutes in major Hornets worry

Kon Knueppel’s return to the Charlotte Hornets ended after six minutes when he left Wednesday’s defeat to Brooklyn with soreness in his left leg. The team had already been without the 21-year-old wing for the first eight games because of a left hamstring injury, and his possible absence adds to a five-game losing run.

Knueppel scored three points from free throws and committed two turnovers before leaving; coach Charles Lee had no further update. The fourth overall pick averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists as a rookie, while shooting 42.5 per cent from three-point range. Charlotte is 3-6, with Brandon Miller leading its scoring at 22 points per game, and is seeking to end a decade-long playoff drought.