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.

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.

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.