Rookie Kon Knueppel delivered a breakout performance as the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 119-111 in overtime on Sunday, December 14, at Rocket Arena.
Charlotte improved to 8-18 and earned just its third road win of the season, while Cleveland fell to 15-12 after being held scoreless in the five-minute overtime period.
Knueppel finished with 29 points on 11-of-19 shooting, continuing his strong stretch after scoring a season-high 33 two nights earlier in Chicago. The No. 4 overall pick scored eight of Charlotte’s final 10 points in regulation and helped seal the game defensively in overtime.
Brandon Miller added 25 points and a career-high 13 rebounds, along with six assists, giving the Hornets a steady two-way presence across 39 minutes. Miles Bridges contributed 20 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, anchoring Charlotte’s frontcourt production.
The Hornets were short-handed, playing without LaMelo Ball, Collin Sexton, and Tre Mann, but still shot 44 percent from the field and made 17 three-pointers. Charlotte also won the rebounding battle 53-46 and recorded 28 assists.
Cleveland erased a 17-point third-quarter deficit to force overtime, outscoring Charlotte 32-23 in the fourth quarter. Donovan Mitchell had a chance to win it at the buzzer but missed a 12-foot jumper after scoring 48 points in Washington on Friday.
The Cavaliers’ offense stalled completely in overtime, missing all 10 shot attempts and committing two turnovers. Charlotte scored eight unanswered points in the extra period to pull away.
Darius Garland led Cleveland with 26 points and nine assists, while Mitchell finished with 17 points on 6-of-24 shooting. Jaylon Tyson added 16 points and 13 rebounds off the bench, and Jarrett Allen was limited to nine points and three rebounds.
Cleveland played without Evan Mobley, who sat out with a strained left calf that could sideline the reigning Defensive Player of the Year for up to a month. Injuries and inconsistency have contributed to the Cavaliers losing six of their last nine games.
Charlotte led 57-47 at halftime and maintained control through most of the third quarter behind Knueppel’s perimeter scoring. Cleveland’s late rally fell short once overtime began.
The Hornets will return home to host Atlanta on Thursday night. The Cavaliers head to Chicago on Wednesday as they look to regroup and reestablish offensive rhythm.
