2025 NBA 2K26 Summer League

NBA 2K26 Summer League: Kon Knueppel, Hornets edge Kings for championship

MVP Kon Knueppel scores 21 points as Charlotte holds on against Sacramento in the Summer League championship game.

Juan Carlos Blanco, RotoWire

July 21, 2025 5:01 AM

Game Recap: Hornets defeat Kings for the 2K26 Summer League championship.

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• Hornets 83, Kings 78: Box Score | Game Detail

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.

The title clash had the look of a one-sided affair over the first 10 minutes, as the Hornets dominated on both ends of the floor to forge a 34-18 lead after one quarter. Undeterred, the Kings knocked nine points from their deficit before intermission, but Charlotte’s defense stepped up in the third to push its advantage back to 11 points going into the final period.

Sacramento subsequently put forth a valiant effort that saw the Kings to get within one on two occasions inside the two-minute mark, but four points from Knueppel via a clutch 3-pointer and a free throw helped the Hornets hang on and secure the championship.

Isaac Jones led the Kings with a 24-point, 11-rebound double-double – both game highs – that also included two assists. Devin Carter provided 13 points, seven assists, two rebounds and two blocks. Rookie first-round pick Nique Clifford supplied 10 points, eight rebounds and two assists.

Knueppel complemented his scoring total with five rebounds and two assists. Rookie second-rounder Ryan Kalkbrenner posted 15 points, nine boards, one steal and one block. Jaylen Sims and KJ Simpson turned in matching 11-point efforts, with Simpson adding seven rebounds, five assists and one block.