Hornets star Kon Knueppel sidelined with hamstring injury

The Charlotte Hornets will be without Kon Knueppel for at least the entire preseason due to a left hamstring injury, the team announced Friday.

Knueppel, who was the first rookie to lead the league with 273 made 3-pointers last season, suffered the hamstring injury during offseason on-court activity, the team said. Veteran forward Grant Williams also injured his right hamstring.

The Hornets have ruled both players out for all four of Charlotte's preseason games. They will be reevaluated "during the first week of the regular season," according to the team.

Charlotte opens the season at Brooklyn on Oct. 21.

The Hornets are hoping to rely even more on Knueppel this season after trading LaMelo Ball to Minnesota over the summer. Knueppel averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 42.5% 3-point shooting as a rookie.

Williams has averaged 7.2 points and 3.7 rebounds per game during his seven seasons.