Knueppel scores 21 as Hornets win first NBA Summer League title by holding off the Kings
Ryan Kalkbrenner added 15 points and three other players each scored 11 for the Hornets, who ended their Summer League run with a 6-0 record.
Isaac Jones had 24 points and 11 rebounds for Sacramento (5-1), and Devin Carter scored 13. Nique Clifford, drafted 24th, finished with 10 points and eight rebounds. He entered the game averaging averaging 16.2 points and 6.2 rebounds.
The Kings lost for the first time in three trips to the final. They won titles in 2014 and 2021.
Knueppel continued his hot play after scoring five points in his opener. He averaged 18.3 points over his final four games and was named the championship game MVP. His 3-pointer with 31.1 seconds left gave the Hornets a four-point lead.
'Like I said before, if you're going to come here, you should win,' Knueppel said. 'So that's what we did.'
The Hornets dominated early, leading by 36-18 in the second quarter. The Kings came back, and Jones twice cut the deficit to a point late — a follow with 1:17 left and a 3-pointer with 20.3 seconds remaining.
But the Hornets closed out the game at the free-throw line, three players making 5 of 6.
'It's a championship game,' Charlotte Summer League coach Chris Jent said. 'That's what everybody wants to see anyway, so it works out well. In order to win a championship, you've got to play through adversity.'
Hornets center James Banks III was ejected with 3:47 left in the third quarter after picking up a flagrant-two foul for an elbow to Sacramento center Dylan Cardwell's face. Cardwell went down hard and remained on the floor during most of the video review.
___
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
26 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Bills' Josh Allen Sends Clear Message on What Drives Him This Season
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Buffalo Bills and superstar quarterback Josh Allen are headed into the 2025 NFL season with only one goal in mind. Nothing but a Super Bowl would make the upcoming campaign count as a success. Last season, the Bills were just one win away from the big game. Unfortunately, they lost to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. In recent years, Buffalo has looked the part of a Super Bowl favorite on multiple occasions. The team simply has not been able to get over the hump. Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills warms up before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills warms up before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo byWith training camp in full swing, Allen is clearly hungry for a championship. He wants to bring one home for the Bills Mafia. Read more: Falcons QB Kirk Cousins Linked to 3 Potential Trade Destinations During an interview with Tom Pelissero in training camp, Allen spoke out about what is driving him this season. "That's the only thing on my mind in camp, is just like, what can we do to bring a Lombardi trophy home?" Allen said. Allen put together the best season of his career last year. He won the NFL MVP, but that didn't mean much to him. Without a championship, the MVP was simply another award, although he was happy to win it. Throughout the course of the year, Allen played in 16 games. He completed 63.6 percent of his pass attempts for 3,731 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, while also racking up 531 yards and 12 more touchdowns on the ground. At 29 years old, Allen seems to have a new sense of urgency. He knows that a championship window can close at any time. Read more: Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Sends Clear Message to Team Icon Terry Bradshaw Following the 2024 season, the Bills invested heavily into Allen. They gave him a massive six-year, $330 million contract. Now, it's time for him to take his game up to another level and bring home a championship. Of course, that is easier said than done and will take a complete team effort. Allen and the rest of the Buffalo roster are highly motivated to get the job done this year. It will be interesting to see what the Bills are able to do this season. Allen's comments are a clear message to both his own team and the rest of the NFL that. Buffalo will be a team to be reckoned with. For more on the Buffalo Bills and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
26 minutes ago
- Newsweek
How to Watch Atlanta Dream vs Minnesota Lynx: Live Stream WNBA, TV Channel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The WNBA spotlight shines on Minneapolis this Sunday as the league-leading Minnesota Lynx (22-4) welcome the surging Atlanta Dream (14-10) to Target Center. Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx handles the ball as Naz Hillmon #00 of the Atlanta Dream plays defense during the first quarter at Gateway Center Arena on June 27, 2025 in College Park,... Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx handles the ball as Naz Hillmon #00 of the Atlanta Dream plays defense during the first quarter at Gateway Center Arena on June 27, 2025 in College Park, Georgia. More Photo byHow to Watch Atlanta Dream at Minnesota Lynx Date: Sunday, July 27, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM EDT Channel: KTVK TV Location: Target Center Stream: Fubo (Watch now!) This is a potential playoff semifinals preview, as the Lynx are the No. 1 seed at the moment while the Dream are the No. 4 seed. Minnesota has won four in a row as the team continues to show why it has the WNBA's best record. Last time out, the team took down the Las Vegas Aces 109-78, making all four of these consecutive wins by double figures. Led by MVP favorite Napheesa Collier, Minnesota is an impossible team to defend. As for Atlanta, the Dream have been one of the WNBA's top surprises this season. The team made the playoffs last year, but with a sub .500 record. This year, the team is solidly battling for home court in the first round. The Dream is coming off a 90-79 win over the Phoenix Mercury in the team's most recent game. Allisha Gray went off for 28 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in the victory, while Brittney Griner added 17 points and eight boards. You can watch the WNBA all season long on Fubo, where you can watch all nationally televised games on ABC, ESPN, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ION, and NBA TV. Do not miss out on catching the stars of the game all summer, including A'ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, and Paige Bueckers. Live stream the Atlanta Dream at Minnesota Lynx game on Fubo: Start watching now! Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
OKC Thunder Mailbag: Could Ajay Mitchell, Nikola Topic see time in G League next year?
The calendar nears August, which means the NBA is in its driest part of the year. Rosters are mostly set as front offices head into vacation for the next couple of months before training camp starts. The Oklahoma City Thunder will enter the 2025-26 season with the hopes of being repeat NBA champions. They had one of the greatest seasons ever with a 68-14 regular-season record and captured the Larry O'Brien trophy. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren were all signed to new contract extensions this offseason. As the Thunder basically run it back with the same roster, Thunder Wire will conduct regular mailbags to answer questions that fans have. One question being asked is about Nikola Topic and Ajay Mitchell. Both young guards will battle for the backup point guard spot. There's only a finite number of minutes to hand out. Could one, if not both, see time on the G League's OKC Blue next season? The answer is probably — at least for one of them. Mitchell was the rare two-way player who never played in the G League last season. Instead, he got off to a hot start and penciled his way into the rotation. Before the Thunder had a chance to send him down, toe surgery knocked him out for three months of the regular season. By the time Mitchell returned, the G League season was over. While the 23-year-old dominated the 2025 Summer League, there's still a decent chance he suits up for the Blue at least once on an assignment this upcoming year. The regular season is long enough, and Mark Daigneault frequently changes his rotations. Those two variables combined could cause Mitchell to go a couple of weeks without any real run. The best solution to that is short G League stints at home. Just for Mitchell to keep his legs warm. That's a strategy the Thunder have utilized for years. Sharing an arena and team system makes assignments and recalls as seamless as possible. Now Topic, on the other hand, seems prime to be a player who could spend plenty of time on the Blue. The 19-year-old will need time to develop — especially after being out his first year with a torn ACL. There's only so much a practice or shootaround can do for you. Live 5-on-5 reps against opponents is the best way to ensure a player learns and strengthens their weaknesses. The Thunder drafted Topic with the No. 12 pick of the 2024 NBA draft, knowing he'd be a long-term project. Finally being cleared to play, part of that involves time with the Blue. It's a luxury the NBA champion is afforded because of their rich depth and not needing a rookie to contribute for them to succeed. While Mitchell looks ready to contribute right now, Topic looks like he still needs his training wheels. Which is to be expected, considering the four-year age gap between the players. The 19-year-old could benefit from spending time with the Blue and a low-pressure environment where mistakes aren't as loud as they are at the NBA stage. The Thunder are known as one of the NBA's best developmental programs. The Blue has played a large part in that. They've squeezed every drop of juice out of their G League affiliate and have turned it into a true farm system akin to baseball. Topic and Mitchell could be the latest players who could benefit from some time with the Blue this upcoming season. The former more than the latter.
