By R.L. Bynum
What a week for Danny Green.
Two days after his $1 million contribution to UNC, Green picked up his 2020 NBA championship ring from the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. He then proceeded to light up his former team.
Green collected 28 points and eight 3-pointers, including a game-clinching 3 from the left corner with 30.4 seconds left, as Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia won its fourth consecutive game with a 109–101 victory over the host Lakers.
“Got a chance to see some of my brothers, compete against them, and there’s nothing better than to come out with a win,” said Green, who had six 3-pointers by midway through the third quarter and was 9 of 14 from the floor.
Green, who averaged eight points in his one season with the Lakers, got a ring along with Sixers teammate Dwight Howard, who got ejected in the first quarter. Although Green earned rings in consecutive seasons, he still doesn’t have his 2019 ring from the Toronto Raptors’ title because of the pandemic. Green also won a title with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014.
Was Green motivated to play against a team that traded him?
“’Coincidence? Possibly. Probably,” Green said.
His totals of points and 3-pointers were both his second-highest this season behind his 29-point, nine 3-pointer game against Miami on Jan. 12. He also had five rebounds and two blocks against the Lakers.
“I was hoping by the time I got there, they’d have fans back,” Green said. “I definitely felt the absence of not being able to celebrate it with the city, but luckily I have been blessed to have been on a team with my brothers, all those people who were family during a tough time in the bubble.”
Green said that another UNC national champion, Eric Montross, approached him about the idea of contributing money for the men’s basketball scholarship endowment.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, to give back,” he said. “My time at UNC made me who I am today, and helping others find that path is something I’m passionate about, especially in my position.”
With Joel Embiid still out (bone bruise in left knee) and Tony Bradley traded earlier in the day to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the 76ers went to more of a small lineup and Green made it work with his shooting.
Green’s 23.1 game score was a season-high and his best since a 25.8 in a 25-point game against New Orleans on Jan. 3, 2020.
In Sacramento’s 141–119 home romp over Golden State, Harrison Barnes had two points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals in 36 minutes.
Nassir Little collected five points, three rebounds and two blocks in 20 minutes of Portland’s 125–122 win at Miami.
Reggie Bullock missed New York’s 106–102 home win over Washington while recovering from a sprained right ankle suffered in Tuesday’s loss to Philadelphia. Theo Pinson didn’t play in that game.
How Tar Heels did Thursday, what’s next
Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard
No game
Season statistics — 25 games, 11.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 37.4FG%, 32.4%3P, 83.6FT
Up next — Friday vs. Portland, 8 p.m.; Sunday at Los Angeles Lakers, 10 p.m.
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Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings guard
141–119 win vs. Golden State — Started; 36 minutes, 2 points, 1–10 FG, 0–4 3FG, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, +26, 2.7 game score
Season statistics — 42 games, 15.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 48.3FG%, 35.4%3P, 83.0FT%
Up next — Saturday vs. Cleveland, 10 p.m.; Monday at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.
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Tony Bradley, Oklahoma City Thunder center/forward
No game
Season statistics — 20 games, 5.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 0.9 of an assist, 68.0 FG%, 0–0 3FG, 63.66FT%
Up next — Saturday vs. Boston, 9 p.m.; Monday vs. Dallas, 8 p.m.
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Reggie Bullock, New York Knicks guard/forward
106–102 win vs. Washington — Missed game with a sprained right ankle
Season statistics — 39 games, 9.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 41.7FG%, 39.3%3P, 85.7FT%
Up next — Saturday at Milwaukee, 8 p.m.; Monday vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m.
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Ed Davis, Minnesota Timberwolves center/forward
No game
Season statistics — 19 games, 2.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 41.9FG%, 0–0 3FG, 87.5FT%
Up next — Friday vs. Houston, 8 p.m.; Saturday vs. Houston, 8 p.m.
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Wayne Ellington, Detroit Pistons guard
No game
Season statistics — 31 games, 10.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 44.8FG%, 43.1 3P%, 74.1FT%
Up next — Friday vs. Brooklyn, 7 p.m.; Saturday at Washington, 8 p.m.
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Danny Green, Philadelphia 76ers forward
109–101 win at Los Angeles Lakers — Started; 28 points, 9–14 FG, 8–12 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, +9, 23.1 game score
Season statistics — 45 games, 9.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 41.3FG%, 40.1%3P, 68.2FT%
Up next — Saturday at Los Angeles Clippers, 10 p.m., NBATV; Tuesday at Denver, 9 p.m., NBATV
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Justin Jackson, Oklahoma City Thunder forward
No game
Season statistics — 30 games, 7.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 41.8FG%, 30.5%3P, 84.8FT%
Up next — Saturday vs. Boston, 9 p.m.; Monday vs. Dallas, 8 p.m.
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Cameron Johnson, Phoenix Suns wing
No game
Season statistics — 37 games, 10.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 44.0FG%, 38.4%3P, 86.5FT%
Up next — Friday vs. Toronto in Tampa, Fla., 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at Charlotte, 1 p.m., FSS
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Nassir Little, Portland Blazers forward/guard
125–122 win at Miami — 20 minutes, 5 points, 2–4 FG, 1–2 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, -11, 5.0 game score
Season statistics — 28 games, 5.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 0.5 of an assist, 46.6%FG, 39.3%3P, 85.7FT%
Up next — Friday at Orlando, 8 p.m.; Sunday vs. Toronto in Tampa, Fla., 7 p.m.
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Theo Pinson, New York Knicks guard/forward
106–102 win vs. Washington — Didn’t play for the sixth consecutive game
Season statistics — 12 games, 2 points, 1–8 FG, 0–7 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
Up next — Saturday at Milwaukee, 8 p.m.; Monday vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m.
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Coby White, Chicago Bulls point guard
No game
Season statistics — 43 games, 15.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 40.9FG%, 35.0%3P, 89.4 FT%
Up next — Saturday at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.; Monday at Golden State, 10 p.m.
What is a game score? Here is an exclamation.
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