Hornets say Knueppel and Williams will miss preseason

The Charlotte Hornets said Kon Knueppel and Grant Williams will miss the team’s preseason games after suffering hamstring injuries during offseason on-court activity. The team plans to reevaluate both players during the first week of the regular season, leaving their availability for Charlotte’s opening games uncertain. The Hornets said Knueppel has a left hamstring injury and Williams a right hamstring injury. The announcement did not specify a return date or say whether either player will miss regular-season games. Charlotte opens its regular-season schedule against Brooklyn on October 21. Knueppel, a guard entering his second NBA season, is coming off a productive rookie campaign. He averaged 18.5 points per game, shot 42.5% from three-point range and finished second in Rookie of the Year voting. He also led the league in three-pointers made, according to the reports. His performance has made him an important part of Charlotte’s plans, but the team has not said how his injury will affect his role once the season begins. A league source cited in one report said Knueppel’s injury did not appear likely to affect a large portion of his season.