Kon Knueppel has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain, according to the Hornets, who announced (via Twitter) that the sharpshooting wing has been ruled out of Friday’s game vs. Boston. The team didn’t provide a timeline for Knueppel’s return.

It’s unclear if Knueppel aggravated his previous left hamstring strain when he exited Wednesday’s game after just six minutes or if he suffered a new strain to a similar area. Either way, it’s bad news for Charlotte, which dropped to 3-6 with Wednesday’s loss in Brooklyn.

Knueppel, who finished a close second in Rookie of the Year voting last season, made his 2026/27 debut on Wednesday. The second-year guard/forward missed all of training camp and the preseason, as well as the Hornets’ first eight games of 2026/27, with his initial hamstring strain.

Starting center Moussa Diabate (right quadriceps tendinopathy) and veteran guard Dennis Schröder (left thigh soreness) are considered questionable for Friday’s contest against the Celtics, per the Hornets.

Here’s more from around the Southeast Division:

• Wizards forward/center Anthony Davis is questionable to play in Friday’s game in Atlanta, tweets Josh Robbins of The Athletic. As Robbins explains, Davis sprained his right ankle early in Wednesday’s loss to the Hawks but managed to play through the injury, finishing with 26 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three blocks in 30 minutes. The oft-injured star big man has yet to miss a game this season.
• The Hawks made a significant change to their rotation on Wednesday, writes Lauren Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (subscriber link), with rookie guard Kingston Flemings receiving his first career start in place of CJ McCollum. “It felt great being on the court. I love playing ball. So, anytime I can be on the court (and) affect the game. I’m gonna do that,” Flemings said of his first career start. Flemings, the eighth overall pick in this year’s draft, recorded 14 points (on 6-of-9 shooting), four assists and three rebounds in 23 minutes, while McCollum had 15 points (on 5-of-14 shooting), five assists, five rebounds and two steals in 25 minutes.
• In an interview with Mark Medina of Fadeaway World, veteran wing Klay Thompson said joining the Heat this offseason has the potential to extend his playing career. The 36-year-old scored a season-high 30 points and hit a game-winning three-pointer in overtime during Wednesday’s road game against the Clippers to help Miami improve to 3-5. “It’s been a tough start to the season. But I feel like I’m enjoying my time very much,” Thompson said. “The competitiveness in this organization is second to none. I feel incredible. I feel young again for how hard they train me. I’m inspired that I have great seasons ahead. That’s what Miami has done so far. It really has reinvigorated my spirit for the game.”