The “Splash Brothers” moniker has long been reserved for the legendary Golden State duo of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. However, a historic 2025-26 regular season finale has officially forced a new pair into the conversation: LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel.
While the Rookie of the Year debate continues to swirl, Charlotte’s sharpshooting rookie, Kon Knueppel, has ended the season with a feat that defies “rookie” expectations. Knueppel finished the year as the NBA’s leader in three-point makes with 273, narrowly edging out his teammate, LaMelo Ball, who finished with 272.
Joining an Exclusive Club
By both surpassing the 270-mark in a single season, Ball and Knueppel became just the second duo in NBA history to reach 270 made threes each in a single campaign. The only other pair to ever achieve this? Curry and Thompson, who did it during their 2015-16 and 2022-23 runs.
This isn’t just a hot streak; it’s a statistical anomaly. Knueppel’s historic volume as a rookie, combined with Ball’s career-high 72 games played, has transformed the Hornets into the most dangerous perimeter threat in the Eastern Conference.
A Generational Backcourt
The most frightening aspect for the rest of the league is that this is only their first season together. Despite Knueppel battling recent back soreness and Ball’s well-documented injury history, the duo has provided a blueprint for Charlotte’s future. If this record-breaking season is the “floor” for their chemistry, the ceiling for this backcourt is limitless.
As the Hornets head into the Play-In Tournament, the league is finding out that the “Splash” isn’t just happening in the Bay Area anymore—it’s moved to Queen City.
