Noah Vonleh Gives Charlotte Something To Cheer For On A Dreary Night

Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Mavericks mopped the floor with the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night, but the home crowd was left with something to cheer for in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter when rookie Noah Vonleh checked into the game.

Vonleh, the ninth pick in the 2014 draft, was held out for the entirety of the Hornets’ training camp with a sports hernia that he received surgery on in September. He was only cleared to play five-on-five in the middle of October and had logged just six minutes of court time this season heading into Monday night’s game, largely the result of him having to compete with Marvin Williams and Cody Zeller for game time.

Against the Mavericks, the game was far out of reach by the time the fourth quarter rolled along. There was no point in playing Williams more and Zeller failed to do much in his 22 minutes off the bench. The stage had been cleared for Vonleh.

Vonleh heard his number called with a shade under seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, and wasted no time getting involved. The rookie immediately tussled with Charlie Villanueva for a rebound on Gerald Henderson’s made free throw, resulting in double technicals for the power forwards.

A minute later, Vonleh knocked down his first shot as a pro — a fadeaway in the post over the outstretched arms of Villanueva. He then pulled up for a three in the final minute of the game, giving him six points on the night. He was also able to get to the charity stripe during his short stint (he converted on one of his two attempts), which is something starting power forward Marvin Williams is yet to do this season.

In total, Vonleh registered six points on 2-for-4 shooting and pulled down two rebounds against the Dallas Mavericks. It wasn’t much but, at the very least, he gave the crowd something to cheer for on Monday night. The Hornets looked drained and lost all game long, be it from not moving the ball on offense, missing simple rotations on defense, or not securing key rebounds. But when the crowd was filing out for the night with the Mavericks’ lead tiptoeing the 30-point plateau, Vonleh stepped in and gave the Hornets some positive minutes on both ends of the court.

Vonleh wasn’t timid or scared. He took it at the Mavericks’ second unit and made the most of his minutes. He did what the rest of the Hornets were supposed — but failed — to do, and showed what could be in the process.

Vonleh will continue to fight tooth and nail for minutes off the bench in his rookie season season, but he looked very comfortable in just his second game on Monday. That’s a good start for the 19-year-old and a positive sign for the Hornets as they look to bounce back from their slow start.