Hornets Clinch Vegas Summer League Title

Knueppel Stars as Charlotte Edges Kings in Thriller

The Charlotte Hornets are champions of the 2025 Vegas Summer League, overcoming the Sacramento Kings in a hard-fought 83-78 victory. Rising star **Kon Knueppel** was instrumental in the win, earning MVP honors for his stellar performance.

Knueppel’s MVP Performance Leads Hornets

Kon Knueppel, the No. 4 overall draft pick, guided the Hornets to their championship, tallying 21 points and five rebounds in the decisive final game. Despite an 8-of-21 shooting night, he proved to be Charlotte’s most impactful player.

Kalkbrenner and Jones Shine in Defeat

Charlotte’s victory was also bolstered by Ryan Kalkbrenner, who contributed 15 points and nine rebounds. For the Kings, Isaac Jones continued his impressive summer run, pouring in 24 points and grabbing 11 boards. Devin Carter added 13 points and seven assists for Sacramento.

Kings Struggle from the Field

The Sacramento Kings faced shooting woes throughout the championship game, converting just 36.5% of their field goal attempts and a mere 20.6% from beyond the arc. This inefficiency proved costly against a determined Hornets squad.

Close Contest in the Desert

Charlotte held a comfortable 11-point lead entering the fourth quarter, but the Kings mounted a furious comeback, narrowing the deficit to three points with under five minutes to play. The game remained tight until **Knueppel** and **Jones** traded crucial three-pointers in the final minute, ultimately sealing the victory for the Hornets.

Context: Summer League Success and Player Development

The Vegas Summer League provides a crucial platform for developing talent. For instance, the Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker averaged 15.5 points and 4.5 rebounds during his 2016 Summer League appearance, foreshadowing his eventual All-Star status (NBA.com).