The Charlotte Hornets just won the 2025 NBA Summer League title last night, defeating the Sacramento Kings 83-78 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Charlotte finished a perfect 6-0 in the tournament.
The Charlotte Hornets are #NBA2KSummerLeague Champions!
Undefeated in Vegas 🏆 pic.twitter.com/rKg2bYkGUm
— NBA (@NBA) July 21, 2025
Rookie Kon Knueppel scored 21 points and was named championship game MVP, also adding five rebounds and two assists. The Hornets led 34-18 after the first quarter, held off a late Kings rally, and sealed the win with Knueppel’s clutch three-pointer and free throw.
Ryan Kalkbrenner added 15 points and nine rebounds, while KJ Simpson and Jaylen Sims each scored 11. Isaac Jones led the Kings with a 24-point, 11-rebound double-double.
Charlotte’s summer success featured key contributions from its 2025 draft class—Knueppel, Kalkbrenner, Liam McNeeley, and Sion James—as well as 2024 picks like Tidjane Salaün and KJ Simpson.
Looking ahead, LaMelo Ball and Collin Sexton are expected to lead the team under new coach Charles Lee. Kalkbrenner could join the rotation as one of Charlotte’s few true centers, while Salaün’s offseason work shows his drive to improve next season.
