Thanks to scoring from Knutpelle, LaMelo Ball, and Brandon Miller, the Charlotte Hornets defeated the New York Knicks 114-103 at home in the 2025/26 NBA regular season, ending their winning streak. Head coach Charles Lee said in an interview that the team's defensive performance was impressive and praised Knutpelle for his impact in many ways.

According to the data, Knupper scored 26 points and 8 assists for the Charlotte Hornets in this game, LaMelo Ball scored 22 points and 6 assists, and Brandon Miller contributed 21 points and 3 assists.

Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee said, "I think after giving up 36 points in the first quarter, we only allowed them 67 points in the next three quarters, which was a very good defensive performance. I think it was mainly a communication breakdown; we weren't quick enough in our defensive rotations, and sometimes there was hesitation between two players. But as the game progressed, we played better and better."

“I really appreciate the resilience the team has shown and how they have maintained physicality and reduced spacing. It’s easy to want to give up in those situations, but our players have always embraced the challenge.”

Charles Lee pointed out, "Last time they scored 30 points on second-chance opportunities, but this time they only had 9 points, achieved with just 5 offensive rebounds. Sometimes that's how games are; you can't let your guard down. When a team has a big lead, the opponent will intensify their full-court pressure and double-teaming."

In addition, when discussing Knuppel's performance, Charles Lee said, "He is a complete player. Sometimes people simply define him as a striker, but he can influence the game in many ways."

"His physicality helps us protect the boards, and on offense, his presence creates more space for the team to break through."

Image source: Internet