Tar Heels in NBA: Barnes scores 23 as Kings close in on playoff berth; Kessler hits 31, Johnson 23 and White scores 19 twice

By R.L. Bynum

As Harrison Barnes put Sacramento a win away from the franchise’s first playoff berth in 17 years, other former Carolina players put up big numbers in recent days, including a career-high 31 from Walker Kessler, 23 from Cameron Johnson and two 19-point nights from Coby White.

Barnes followed up a 23-point game in Friday’s 135–127 home win over Phoenix with 18 points Saturday as the Kings overcame that big game from Kessler to earn a 121–113 victory Saturday. Sacramento can clinch its first playoff berth since 2006 with a home victory Monday night against Minnesota.

In the victory over Sacramento, Barnes added five rebounds and four assists. In addition, Barnes was the Kings’ defensive player of the game in the win over the Suns.

“I was proud of the group for responding the way we did,” Barnes said.

Kessler added 11 rebounds for his 19th double-double of the season to become the first Jazz rookie with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in a game. He put up a season-high game score of 29.6, shooting 14 of 16 for a season-high field-goal total.

Kessler is the first rookie with at least 30 points and 11 rebounds while shooting at least 85% from the floor since Shaquille O’Neal 30 years ago. He scored 14 points in the lane, including several dunks and alley-oops.

Saturday’s big game came after Kessler scored eight points in Wednesday’s 127–115 home loss to Portland and seven in a 144–116 Friday home loss to Milwaukee.

Utah has lost three in a row and is 35–39, 12th in the Western Conference, one game out of the last play-in tournament spot.


Johnson’s 23 points in 25 minutes came in an important 129–100 Brooklyn victory at Miami to leapfrog the Heat for the No. 6 spot in the Eastern Conference. The Nets (40–34) have a half-game lead over the Heat (40–35) for that last playoff spot to avoid the play-in tournament.

“We had the mindset coming in that this was a playoff game,” said Johnson, who rebounded from scoring five points in Thursday’s 116–114 home loss to Cleveland.

Day’Ron Sharpe played 14 minutes in both games, scoring six against the Cavaliers and nine against the Heat.

In Cleveland’s Thursday road win over Brooklyn, Danny Green didn’t play (coach’s decision) for the seventh time in the last nine games.


Coby White has scored 19 points in two consecutive games. He scored three 3-pointers with three rebounds and three assists in Wednesday’s 116–91 Chicago home loss to Philadelphia. White had four 3-pointers, four rebounds and a season-high nine assists in the Bulls’ 124–96 win at Portland on Friday.

White’s 22.2 game score against the Blazers was his second highest this season.

For Portland on Friday, Nassir Little, who missed the Blazers’ previous game with a concussion, had four points and two blocks in 17 minutes.


Cole Anthony scored 18 points and four 3-pointers in Orlando’s 111–106 win Thursday over New York. It was his 13th game this season with at least 18 points.


Reggie Bullock scored 15 points on five 3-pointers in Thursday’s 127–125 Dallas home win over Golden State, his seventh game this season with at least five 3-pointers. He had six points and six rebounds in Friday’s 117–109 home loss to Charlotte. Theo Pinson didn’t play (coach’s decision) in either game.


Justin Jackson finished his G League season with a pair of big games, but both in Texas Legends losses. He scored 33 points and five 3-pointers in Thursday’s 128–125 loss at Ontario, then 28 points and eight 3-pointers in Saturday’s 134–111 defeat at Santa Cruz. In that Saturday game, he blocked a G League career-high two shots.

In 14 G League games, Jackson averaged 21.1 points per game after scoring 20 points in 23 games for the Boston Celtics.


Garrison Brooks wasn’t listed as active for the last three Westchester Knicks games.

Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard
Age 22 | 6–3, 185 | third NBA season | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)


111–106 Thursday win vs. New York 26 minutes, 18 points, 6–13 FG, 4–6 3FG, 2–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +15, 14.1 game score
Season statistics — 54 games, 12.7 points, 44.5 FG%, 36.0 3P%, 89.1 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists
Next games — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Brooklyn; 8 p.m. Tuesday at Memphis


Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings forward
Age 30 | 6–8, 225 | 11th NBA season | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)

135–127 Friday win vs. Phoenix Started; 35 minutes, 23 points, 7–12 FG, 2–5 3FG, 7–9 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, +16, 18.2 game score
121–113 Saturday win vs. Utah 35 minutes, 18 points 6–12 FG, 2–3 3FG, 4–4 FT, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, +13, 15.5 game score
Season statistics — 74 games, 15.1 points, 47.3 FG%, 37.7 3FG%, 84.7 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Next games 10 p.m. Monday vs. Minnesota; 10 p.m. Wednesday at Portland


Reggie Bullock, Dallas Mavericks small forward
Age 32 | 6–6, 205 | 10th NBA season | UNC 2010–13 (3 seasons)

127–125 Wednesday loss vs. Golden State Started; 39 minutes, 15 points, 5–8 FG, 5–7 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 foul, -5, 12.6 game score
117–109 Friday loss vs. Charlotte Started; 34 minutes, 6 points, 2–4 FG, 2–4 3FG, 6 rebounds, 2 fouls, -1, 5.0 game score
Season statistics 71 games, 7.3 points, 41.3 FG%, 39.0 3P%, 70.3 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Next games 7 p.m. Monday at Indiana, NBATV; 7:30 Wednesday at Philadelphia, ESPN


Danny Green, Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Age 35 | 6–6, 205 | 13th NBA season | UNC 2005–09 (4 seasons)

116–114 Thursday win at Brooklyn Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Season statistics 9 games, 88 minutes, 27 points, 9–23 FG, 8–18 3FG, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals
Next games 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Houston; 7:30 Tuesday at Atlanta


Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 27 | 6–8, 210 | fourth NBA season | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)

116–114 Thursday loss vs. Cleveland Started; 22 minutes, 5 points, 1–6 FG, 1–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -3, 2.4 game score
129–100 Saturday win at Miami Started; 25 minutes, 23 points, 9–13 FG, 5–8 3FG, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 4 ouls, +25, 21.0 game score
Season statistics — 35 games, 16.1 points, 45.4 FG%, 40.1 3P%, 82.2 FT%, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Next games 6 p.m. Sunday at Orlando; 7:30 Wednesday vs. Houston


Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz center
Age 21 | 7–0, 245 | rookie NBA season | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)

127–115 Wednesday loss vs. Portland Started; 24 minutes, 8 points, 4–6 FG, 0–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks, 1 foul, -19, 8.9 game score
144–116 Friday loss vs. Milwaukee Started; 17 minutes, 7 points, 3–6 FG, 1–2 FT, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 4 fouls, -16, 8.4 game score
121–113 Saturday loss at Sacramento Started; 34 minutes, 31 points (season-high), 14(season-high)–16 FG, 3–6 FT, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, -2, 29.6 game score (season-high)
Season statistics 70 games, 8.9 points, 72.2 FG%, 1–2 3FG, 52.3 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 0.9 of an assist, 2.3 blocks
Next games 9 p.m. Monday vs. Phoenix; 8 p.m. Wednesday at San Antonio


Nassir Little, Portland Trail Blazers forward
Age 23 | 6–5, 220 | third NBA season | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)


127–115 Wednesday win at Utah Didn’t play (concussion)
124–96 Friday loss vs. Chicago 17 minutes, 4 points, 2–5 FG, 0–3 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 block, -12, 3.0 game score
Season statistics — 50 games, 6.1 points, 45.4 FG%, 38.0 3P%, 69.2 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 0.9 of an assist
Next games 7 p.m. Sunday vs. Oklahoma City; 10 p.m. Monday vs. New Orleans


Theo Pinson, Dallas Mavericks guard
Age 27 | 6–5, 212 | fifth NBA season | UNC 2014–18 (4 seasons)


127–125 Wednesday loss vs. Golden State and 117–109 Friday loss vs. Charlotte Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Season statistics — 37 games, 1.7 points, 32.8 FG%, 34.1 3P%, 81.8 FT, 1.1 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist
Next games 7 p.m. Monday at Indiana, NBATV; 7:30 Wednesday at Philadelphia, ESPN


Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 21 | 6–9, 265 | second NBA season | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)

116–114 Thursday loss vs. Cleveland 14 minutes, 6 points, 3–5 FG, 0–1 3FG, 0–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, +2, 4.6 game score
129–100 Saturday win at Miami 14 minutes, 9 points, 3–4 FG, 3–3 FT, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, -2, 14.9 game score
Season NBA statistics — 40 games, 4.7 points, 53.8 FG%, 6–11 3FG, 65.0 FT%, 4.1 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist, 0.7 of a block
Season G League statistics 14 games, 16.3 points, 64.4 2PFG%, 21.1 3FG%, 57.1 FT%, 12.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 blocks, 12 double-doubles
Next games 6 p.m. Sunday at Orlando; 7:30 Wednesday vs. Houston


Coby White, Chicago Bulls guard
Age 23 | 6–4, 195 | fourth NBA season| UNC 2018–19 (1 season)

116–91 Wednesday loss vs. Philadelphia 33 minutes, 19 points, 8–13 FG, 3–6 3FG, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -2, 13.9 game score
124–96 Friday win at Portland 32 minutes, 19 points, 7–9 FG, 4–5 3FG, 1–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, +24, 22.2 game score (second-highest this season)
Season statistics 65 games, 9.2 points, 43.5 FG%, 37.3 3P%, 85.7 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Next games 3:30 Sunday at Los Angeles Lakers; 10:30 Monday at Los Angeles Clippers


Bradley free agent

On Feb. 21, Chicago waived Tony Bradley. His season statistics: 12 games, 33 minutes, 19 points, 6–12 FG, 3–5 3FG, 4–4 FT, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block


In the G League

Garrison Brooks, Westchester Knicks center
Age 23 | 6–10, 240 | Rookie | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)

110–97 Thursday loss at Maine and 114–105 Saturday loss at Capital City Not listed as active
Season statistics 37 games, 13.6 points, 62.3 2P FGP%, 0–20 3P, 59.5 FT%, 11.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.6 of a block, 24 double-doubles
Knicks’ G League season over


Justin Jackson, Texas Legends forward
Age 27 | 6–8, 220 | Sixth pro season | UNC 2014–27 (3 seasons)

128–125 Thursday loss at Ontario Started; 34 minutes, 33 points, 12–23 FG, 5–12 3FG, 3–4 FT, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 1 block, +5
134–111 Saturday loss at Santa Cruz Started; 36 minutes, 28 points, 10–18 FG, 8–11 3FG, 0–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 foul, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 blocks, -17
Season G League statistics — 14 games, 21.1 points, 44.2 FG%, 42.2 3FG%, 62.1 FT%, 6.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists
Season NBA statistics (with Boston) — 23 games, 107 minutes, 20 points, 7–27 FG, 5–20 3FG, 17 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 blocks, 4 steals
Legends’ G League season over


Get an explanation of the game score metric here. Michael Jordan produced the all-time-high game score of 64.6 on March 28, 1990, in the Chicago Bulls’ 117–113 overtime win at Cleveland. Jordan had 69 points on 23 of 37 shooting (2 of 6 from 3-point range), made 21 of 23 free-throw attempts and collected 18 rebounds, six assists, four steals and a block.

Photo via @SacramentoKings

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