Hornets rookie emerges in loss to Heat

Salaun hit a three-pointer with 45 seconds left to give the Hornets a one-point lead on Wednesday night, which gave him a career-high 17 points. 

As per usual, Salaun celebrated very emphatically afterward as the home crowd exploded. But then Herro hit a three-pointer, stole the ball from Brandon Miller and sent Hornets fans home sad.

Even with Charlotte falling to 6-12, it was an encouraging game for the 19-year-old French rookie, who the Hornets took with the No. 6 pick in the June draft. 

He finished with 17 points and three steals, helping his team erase a 17-point Miami lead in the final nine minutes. Salaun kicked off the comeback with one of his three three-pointers, playing the entire quarter as part of a very young Hornets lineup that included fellow Frenchman Moussa Diabate.

Charlotte leaned on 23-year-old LaMelo Ball, 20-year-old Nick Smith, Jr., 22-year-old Miller and the 22-year-old Diabate for much of the fourth quarter, alongside grizzled 24-year-old Josh Green. After losing Grant Williams for the season, the Hornets are fully embracing a youth movement and almost upset a veteran Heat team with their energy.

That energy is especially evident with Salaun. After the game, Hornets head coach Charles Lee praised Salaun's "competitive joy," telling reporters, "Watching him hit a shot and then do his double fist pump while flexing his muscles, it gives our group life. I just love what he's given us in terms of his energy."

Salaun's celebrations are intense and genuine. His play is exciting and often unpredictable, like when he dared rookie Tristan da Silva to shoot on Monday night by fully turning his back to him.

He's unconventional and often ridiculous, but on Wednesday, Salaun showed he might be a key part of the next good Hornets team. He didn't get his game-winner this time, but it's coming, and the celebration afterward will be truly epic.