Hornets' Vonleh returns from sports hernia, gets first taste of preseason action

Charlotte Hornets rookie forward Noah Vonleh wasn't expected to see any action in the preseason thanks to a sports hernia, but he's gotten back into game shape slightly ahead of schedule.  

The surgery to correct the issue originally carried a timetable that placed Vonleh's return right around the start of the regular season. 

The 19 year old's quick recovery allowed Hornets coach Steve Clifford to give Vonleh a taste of game action before the season officially begins. 

Vonleh entered Monday's game against the Atlanta Hawks in the middle of the first quarter, dropped in two quick buckets, and, according to the Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell, showed no ill effects of the surgery.