Tar Heels in NBA: Barnes hits 16, gets 4,000th rebound; Johnson still working toward return; knee soreness slows White

By R.L. Bynum

Harrison Barnes scored 16 points and tied his season-high with four 3-pointers in his best game since mid-December, but it wasn’t enough in a tough road test for his Sacramento Kings.

The Memphis Grizzlies pulled away after a close first half to lead by as many as 14 points before taking a 118–108 victory Sunday.

Barnes pulled down five rebounds and eclipsed the 4,000 career rebounds mark midway through the third quarter. He put up a 10.4 game score, his 17th time with a double-digit score in 35 games after doing it in 53 of 77 games last season.

The Kings have split their last 10 games and are sixth in the Western Conference at 19–16.

Barnes scored 13 points Tuesday in a 113–106 loss to Denver, eight in a 127–126 Wednesday win over the Nuggets and 10 in Friday’s 126–125 victory over Utah.


Phoenix forward Cameron Johnson, who has been out since Nov. 4 while recovering from a torn right meniscus, is working toward his return but has been ruled out of Monday afternoon’s home game against the New York Knicks.

Johnson, who had surgery on Nov. 8, recently increased his on-court work but is still limited to non-contact drills. He was with the Suns during their just-concluded four-game road trip, suggesting that his return was getting close.

While Johnson and other Suns have missed time with injuries, they have fallen to seventh in the Western Conference at 20–17 and take a two-game losing streak into Monday’s game.


Day’Ron Sharpe continues to play both with Brooklyn and Long Island, the Nets’ G League team.

Last week against Greensboro for Long Island, he didn’t start and had eight points and 13 rebounds in Tuesday’s 113–108 win, then started in Thursday’s 122–95 victory with 20 points and 10 rebounds. He joined the Brooklyn team in Charlotte on Saturday, scoring five points in three minutes for the Nets in their 123–95 road victory over the Hornets.

While Sharpe is only shooting 20% from 3-point range in eight G League games, he has made four of five attempts from outside the arc in 19 NBA games, including making his only attempt against Charlotte.


After Orlando had won eight of nine games and Anthony had scored 23 in a Dec. 23 win over San Antonio, the Magic and Anthony didn’t end 2022 playing well.

The Magic lost their last three games of the year, with Anthony scoring eight points in both Tuesday’s 129–110 home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers and Wednesday’s 121–101 defeat at Detroit, combining to go 6 of 19 from the floor.

Anthony was one of several players to leave the bench during an altercation in that Pistons game and was among a few players suspended for Friday’s 119–100 home loss to Washington.


While Coby White has made subtle improvements in his fourth NBA season, playing better on both ends of the floor, he’s also battled injuries. He missed 14 games earlier this season with a quad injury and left knee soreness has slowed him in the last week.

He came out of Wednesday’s 119–113 home win over Milwaukee with that knee issue after going scoreless in six minutes. He was questionable before Friday’s 132–118 home victory over Detroit, but scored five points in 14 minutes.

Tony Bradley didn’t play in either game (coach’s decision). He last played on Dec. 18, eight games ago, and that was only for just over two minutes. He is listed as doubtful for Monday night’s game at Cleveland because of personal reasons.


The Dallas Mavericks keep winning, riding the amazing recent run by Luca Dončić, but the last week wasn’t easy for Reggie Bullock. Dallas has won six consecutive games, and is fourth in the Western Conference at 21–16, with Dončić scoring at least 50 points in three of the last five games.

Bullock scored three points in 26 minutes off the bench in Tuesday’s 126–101 overtime home win over New York when Dončić scored 60, then missed Thursday’s 129–114 home win over Houston with a non-COVID-19-related illness. Bullock was back in the starting lineup for Saturday’s 126–125 home win over San Antonio, contributing seven points and two assists in 33 minutes as Dončić scored 51.

Theo Pinson didn’t play (coach’s decision) in the New York game, had three points in six minutes against Houston and played one second against San Antonio.


The Utah Jazz has lost four in a row to fall under .500 at 19–20, 10th in the Western Conference. Walker Kessler had six points, six rebounds and three blocks in Wednesday’s 112–107 loss at Golden State, 11 points and eight rebounds in Friday’s 126–125 loss at Sacramento and five points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in Saturday’s 126–123 home loss to Miami.


Justin Jackson played in two of Boston’s three games last week, scoring three points in the Celtics’ 126–102 Tuesday home win over Houston and playing two scoreless minutes in Sunday’s 123–111 loss at Denver.


Garrison Brooks’ Westchester Knicks haven’t played since Dec. 22, but play at home Monday and Tuesday against the Cleveland Charge.

Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard

Age 22 | 6–3, 185 | third NBA season | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)

129–110 Tuesday loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers — 26 minutes, 8 points, 4–13 FG, 0–3 3FG, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 4 fouls, -13, 1.7 game score
121–101 Wednesday loss at Detroit — 28 minutes, 8 points, 2–6 FG, 0–2 3FG, 4–4 FT, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, -3, 9.9 game score
119–100 Friday loss vs. Washington — Didn’t play (suspended one game for leaving the bench in Wednesday’s game at Detroit)
Season statistics — 19 games, 12.9 points, 43.9 FG%, 34.7 3P%, 90.6 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists
Next games — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Oklahoma City; 7 p.m. Thursday vs. Memphis


Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings forward

Age 30 | 6–8, 225 | 11th NBA season | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)

113–106 Tuesday loss vs. Denver — Started; 33 minutes, 13 points, 5–11 FG, 1–4 3FG, 2–2 FG, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 fouls, -9, 11.0 game score
127–126 Wednesday win vs. Denver — Started; 24 minutes, 8 points, 2–8 FG, 0–2 3FG, 4–6 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 block, -13, 4.8 game score
126–125 Friday win vs. Utah — Started; 32 minutes, 10 points, 3–10 FG, 1–4 3FG, 3–4 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 foul, +/- of 0, 7.4 game score
118–108 Sunday loss at Memphis — Started; 29 minutes, 16 points, 4–12 FG, 4–9 3FG, 4–4 FT, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, -2, 10.4 game score
Season statistics — 35 games, 13.6 points, 46.1 FG%, 30.9 3FG%, 80.9 FT%, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists
Next games 9 p.m. Tuesday at Utah; 10 p.m. Wednesday vs. Atlanta


Tony Bradley, Chicago Bulls center

Age 24 | 6–10, 248 | sixth NBA season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)

119–113 OT Wednesday win vs. Milwaukee and 132–118 Friday win vs. Detroit Did not play (coach’s decision)
Season statistics — 9 games, 25 minutes, 12 points, 4–7 FG, 2–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Next games 7 p.m. Monday at Cleveland; 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Brooklyn


Reggie Bullock, Dallas Mavericks small forward

Age 31 | 6–6, 205 | 10th NBA season | UNC 2010–13 (3 seasons)

126–101 OT Tuesday win vs. New York — Didn’t start; 26 minutes, 3 points, 1–7 FG, 1–7 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, -12, -2.2 game score
129–114 Thursday win vs. Houston — Didn’t play (illness not COVID-19-related)
126–125 Saturday win at San Antonio — Started; 33 minutes, 7 points, 3–6 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 foul, +2, 5.3 game score
Season statistics 35 games, 5.3 points, 34.8 FG%, 31.5 3P%, 71.4 FT%, 3.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Next games 8 p.m. Monday at Houston; 7:30 Tuesday vs. Boston, TNT


Justin Jackson, Boston Celtics forward

Age 27 | 6–8, 220| sixth NBA season | UNC 2014–17 (3 seasons)

126–102 Tuesday win vs. Houston — 3 minutes, 3 points, 1–1 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1 foul, +3, 2.3 game score
116–110 Thursday win vs. Los Angeles Clippers — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
123–111 Sunday loss at Denver — 2 minutes, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 2 assists, 1 steal, +2, 1.7 game score
Season statistics — 15 games, 68 minutes, 9 points, 3–15 FG, 3–12 3FG, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, 3 steals
Next games — 8 p.m. Tuesday at Oklahoma City; 7:30 Thursday at Dallas, TNT


Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz center

Age 21 | 7–0, 245 | rookie NBA season | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)

112–107 Wednesday loss at Golden State — 20 minutes, 6 points, 2–4 FG, 2–4 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks, 1 foul, -4, 8.6 game score
126–125 Friday loss at Sacramento — 24 minutes, 11 points, 5–5 FG, 1–2 FT, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +17, 10.8 game score
126–123 Saturday loss vs. Miami — 30 minutes, 5 points, 2–6 FG, 1–2 FT, 12 rebounds, 1 steal, 3 blocks, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +8, 8.5 game score
Season statistics 36 games, 6.9 points, 72.9 FG%, 54.4 FT%, 6.9 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist, 1.8 blocks
Next games 9 p.m. Tuesday vs. Sacramento; 8 p.m. Thursday at Houston


Theo Pinson, Dallas Mavericks guard

Age 27 | 6–5, 212 | fifth NBA season | UNC 2014–18 (4 seasons)

126–101 OT Tuesday win vs. New York — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
129–114 Thursday win vs. Houston — 6 minutes, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 foul, -8, 1.9 game score
126–125 Saturday win at San Antonio — 1 second, -1, 0.0 game score
Season statistics — 16 games, 75 minutes, 16 points, 4–17 FG, 3–12 3FG, 5–6 FT, 21 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals
Next games 8 p.m. Monday at Houston; 7:30 Tuesday vs. Boston, TNT


Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center

Age 21 | 6–9, 265 | second NBA season | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)

113–108 Tuesday win for Long Island vs. Greensboro — Didn’t start; 23 minutes, 8 points, 3–6 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2–2 FT, 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 6 fouls, 1 turnover, 2 blocks, +8
122–95 Thursday win for Long Island vs. Greensboro — Started; 34 minutes, 20 points, 8–10 FG, 2–2 3FG, 2–3 FT, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 6 turnovers, 1 block, +21
123–106 Saturday win at Charlotte 3 minutes, 5 points, 2–2 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1 rebound, -3, 4.7 game score
Season NBA statistics — 19 games, 158 minutes, 68 points, 26–48 FG, 4–5 3FG, 12–17 FT, 59 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, 10 blocks
G League statistics (showcase; Nov. 4–Dec. 22) 6 games, 18.3 points, 64.0 FG%, 20.0 3FG%, 60.0 FT%, 12.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 blocks
G League statistics (regular season; since Dec. 27) — 2 games, 15.0 points, 68.8 FG%, 66.7 3FG%, 80.0 FT%, 11.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 blocks
Next game 7 p.m. Monday vs. Raptors 905 for Long Island OR 7:30 Monday vs. San Antonio


Coby White, Chicago Bulls guard

Age 22 | 6–4, 195 | fourth NBA season| UNC 2018–19 (1 season)

119–113 OT Wednesday win vs. Milwaukee — 6 minutes, 0 points, -3, 0.0 game score
132–118 Friday win vs. Detroit —  14 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1 assist, 2 fouls, +10, 3.6 game score
Season statistics 27 games, 7.9 points, 41.6 FG%, 35.0 3P%, 2.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists
Next games 7 p.m. Monday at Cleveland; 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Brooklyn


In the G League

Garrison Brooks, Westchester Knicks center

Age 23 | 6–10, 240 | Rookie | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)

Off Tuesday through Sunday
Season statistics 15 games, 13.4 points, 61.1 FG%, 0–9 3P, 53.6 FT%, 12.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.7 of a block
Next games 7 p.m. Monday vs. Cleveland Charge; 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. Cleveland Charge


Out while recovering from surgery

— Phoenix forward Cameron Johnson is expected to return soon after having right knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus on Nov. 8. His season statistics: 8 games, 13.0 points, 44.6 FG%, 43.1 3P%, 72.7 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists
— Memphis forward Danny Green had offseason surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee suffered in May, and is targeting to make his season debut before the All-Star break in February.

Out until mid-January

— Portland forward Nassir Little suffered a mild femoral impaction fracture to his right hip on Nov. 29. His season statistics: 21 games, 5.5 points, 47.3 FG%, 37.2 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 2.4 rebounds, 0.9 of an assist


Get an explanation of the game score metric here.

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