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All three players were sidelined throughout the preseason due to their respective injuries. While the team provided a positive update on Tuesday, noting that Knueppel, White, and Williams have all returned to individual on-court workouts, they have not yet been cleared for full competitive action.
Injury updates and team outlook
Kon Knueppel, who established himself as a perimeter threat by leading the league with 273 made 3-pointers during his rookie season, has been dealing with a left hamstring injury. The issue occurred during offseason training and kept him out of all preseason activities. His absence is a notable blow for the Hornets, who are looking to build upon his impressive debut campaign where he averaged 18.5 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 42.5% from beyond the arc.
Coby White is also unavailable after sustaining a left calf strain during training camp on October 5. White, who joined the franchise from the Chicago Bulls in February, became a key contributor late last season. His impact was highlighted by a 19-point performance in a play-in victory against the Miami Heat, where he hit a crucial late-game 3-pointer to force overtime. Following his strong finish to the year, White signed a three-year, $74 million contract with the organization during the summer.
Rounding out the injury report is veteran forward Grant Williams. He missed all four of Charlotte's preseason games due to a right hamstring injury. Williams, who holds career averages of 7.2 points and 3.7 rebounds over seven seasons, remains a key part of the team's rotation. The Hornets are navigating a transitional period this season, having traded LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves during the offseason, and will be looking for their depth to step up in the absence of these three core players.
