LAS VEGAS — Rookie Kon Knueppel’s team-high 21 points and a lightning-fast start helped fuel the Charlotte Hornets to a hard-fought 83-78 win over the Sacramento Kings in the NBA 2K26 Summer League championship game at Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Sunday night. Kneuppel was named the championship game MVP.

As accustomed for second-year NBA players, Hornets brass shipped Simpson off to Vegas to play in the NBA Summer League against fellow rookies and young players. To the surprise of many around the league, Charlotte got off to a hot start in summer league and never slowed.

Former Colorado basketball star point guard KJ Simpson wrapped up his second NBA Summer League with a title over a fellow former Buff.