Tidjane Salaün earns first NBA start for Hornets in highly anticipated matchup against Haliburton, Pacers from

Tidjane Salaün Makes NBA Debut as Hornets Starter Against Pacers

Highly Anticipated Matchup Features Salaün vs. Haliburton

Salaün Earns First NBA Start for Hornets

Tidjane Salaün, the Charlotte Hornets' undrafted rookie, made his first NBA start on Wednesday night against the Indiana Pacers. Salaün, a 6'7" forward from France, earned the starting nod due to injuries to Gordon Hayward and Jalen McDaniels. Salaün made an immediate impact in his first start, scoring 12 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in the Hornets' 117-106 loss to the Pacers. Salaün showed off his athleticism and versatility, hitting a pair of three-pointers and making several impressive defensive plays.

Pacers Led by Haliburton's Triple-Double

The Pacers were led by Tyrese Haliburton, who recorded a triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. Haliburton was a force all night, hitting several key shots down the stretch to help the Pacers secure the victory.

Salaün's Performance Draws Praise

Despite the Hornets' loss, Salaün's performance drew praise from his teammates and coaches. Hornets coach Steve Clifford said, "Tidjane played great tonight. He showed us what he can do. He's a talented player with a bright future." Salaün's performance was also a bright spot for the Hornets, who have struggled with injuries all season. The Hornets are now 10-29 on the season, but they are hoping that Salaün's emergence can help them turn things around.