Charlotte Hornets Fans Celebrate Historic Franchise First After NBA Summer League Title originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Charlotte Hornets first entered the NBA as an expansion team in 1988,

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.

Kon Knueppel and the Charlotte Hornets are your 2025 Vegas Summer League champions. The Hornets defeated the Sacramento Kings 83-78 on Sunday night in the championship contest, with Knueppel earning MVP honors after posting 21 points and five rebounds in the title game.