By R.L. Bynum
After a weekend marked by a few battles between UNC alums, the most one-sided happened late on Monday night.
There was Day’Ron Sharpe vs. Garrison Brooks, Reggie Bullock and Theo Pinson vs. Justin Jackson and Walker Kessler vs. Coby White. But Harrison Barnes had the best of such matchups against Cole Anthony.
Barnes was quite efficient in his Sacramento Kings’ easy 136–111 home victory Monday over Anthony’s Orlando Magic, with season-highs of 30 points and six 3-pointers in 30 minutes, 28 seconds. Meanwhile, in the middle of a long West Coast road trip, Anthony had eight points, seven rebounds and three assists.
“I thought offensively tonight, but really this whole season, we feel confident about what we can do,” said Barnes, whose Kings are 21–18, fifth in the Western Conference. “The biggest thing tonight was walking out of here with a win.”
Barnes scored at least 30 points for the 21st time in his career, with his career-high of 36 coming for Sacramento against Portland on Oct. 20, 2021.
Barnes helped the Kings score a franchise-record 23 3-pointers. It came after their tough 136–134 home loss Saturday to the Los Angeles Lakers, when Barnes scored 18 points and two 3-pointers. Barnes said the Monday win was big after that loss to the Lakers.
“I felt we let ourselves down, just having to compete for 48 minutes,” Barnes said of the loss to Los Angeles. “We come into games, we feel like we have a good game plan. And if we execute on that, we should be in good shape. So, I think tonight, we felt like we executed on that and the result was a win.”
Barnes was 11 of 13 from the floor and 6 of 7 from 3-point range for a 24.5 game score. That is topped only by the 27.7 in his 27-point, nine-rebound, three-assist game on Nov. 20 against Detroit.
“Guys were looking for me; that was great,” Barnes said. “I think the biggest thing I was thinking, every time I made a shot, it felt like we were trading baskets because I felt like they were coming back on the other end and scoring, too. It was nice that we’re finally able to get some stops and really push that lead.”
It was the second-largest loss of the season on Orlando, which had won at Golden State 115–101 on Saturday with Anthony scoring 16 points and two 3-pointers while collecting seven rebounds and five assists. The grind continues for Orlando, which plays at Portland on Tuesday night.
Nassir Little is making progress recovering from a mild femoral impaction fracture in his right hip suffered on Nov. 29. He was taking jumpers before Portland’s Sunday home game against Toronto and a recent MRI came back clean. Barring any setbacks, he could return by the end of the month.
The Phoenix Suns have not yet cleared Cameron Johnson for full-contact workouts as he recovers from Nov. 8 knee surgery to repair a torn right meniscus. After UNC’s win over Notre Dame on Saturday, Puff Johnson said that he thought his brother would be back within a couple of weeks.
Dallas has lost two of its last three games, and Reggie Bullock has combined for 10 points in the three games.
Bullock was scoreless with three rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in Thursday’s 104–95 home loss to Boston and had one point, five rebounds and two assists in Saturday’s 127–117 home victory over New Orleans. Bullock scored nine points and three 3-pointers with two rebounds and three assists in Sunday’s 120–109 loss at Oklahoma City.
Theo Pinson combined for eight points over 13 minutes in the three games. In the Boston game, he and fellow 2017 national championship teammate Justin Jackson were both on the court in the final minutes.
Jackson had two points in that game, but didn’t play (coach’s decision) in either the Celtics’ 121–116 Saturday win at San Antonio or their 197–99 Monday home win over Chicago.
Walker Kessler had his sixth double-double of the season with 10 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks in Utah’s 123–118 win Sunday at Memphis. He combined for 12 points and 11 rebounds in Thursday’s 131–114 win at Houston and the Jazz’s 126–118 Saturday loss at Chicago against Coby White.
That was one of two Bulls wins in the last three games, but Tony Bradley missed all three under the league’s health and safety protocols.
White combined for 18 points in the three games. He scored nine points and three 3-pointers in Friday’s 126–112 win over Philadelphia, had five points and six rebounds against Utah and contributed four points and three rebounds in Monday’s loss at Boston.
Day’ron Sharpe put up another impressive G League double-double Monday with 24 points and 14 rebounds in the Long Island Nets’ 118–110 home win over Windy City after his Nets split weekend games against Garrison Brooks’ Westchester Knicks.
Brooks had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in Friday’s 120–119 Westchester win at Long Island but only had two points and nine rebounds in Sunday’s 130–97 loss to Long Island. Sharpe had four points and five rebounds for the Nets before fouling out in the Friday game and 10 points and nine rebounds in the Sunday game.
Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard
Age 22 | 6–3, 185 | third NBA season | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
123–115 Thursday loss vs. Memphis — 22 minutes, 4 points, 0–8 FG, 0–5 3FG, 4–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -16, -0.4 game score
115–101 Saturday win at Golden State — 30 minutes, 16 points, 6–9 FG, 2–4 3FG, 2–3 FT, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +7, 17.3 game score
136–111 Monday loss at Sacramento — 29 minutes, 8 points, 3–13 FG, 0–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -34, 4.2 game score
Season statistics — 23 games, 12.1 points, 41.8 FG%, 30.3 3P%, 90.6 FT%, 4.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists
Next games — 10 p.m. Tuesday at Portland; 9 p.m. Friday at Utah
Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings forward
Age 30 | 6–8, 225 | 11th NBA season | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
136–134 Saturday loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers — Started; 18 points, 4–9 FG, 2–5 3FG, 8–10 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 foul, -6, 14.9 game score
136–111 Monday win vs. Orlando — Started; 30 minutes, 30 points, 11–13 FG, 6–7 3FG, 2–3 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +17, 24.5 game score
Season statistics — 39 games, 14.5 points, 47.7 FG%, 33.9 3FG%, 81.4 FT%, 5.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Next games — 10 p.m. Wednesday vs. Houston; 10 p.m. Friday vs. Houston
Tony Bradley, Chicago Bulls center
Age 25 | 6–10, 248 | sixth NBA season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
126–112 Friday win at Philadelphia, 126–118 Saturday win vs. Utah and 107–99 Monday loss at Boston — Missed both games under the NBA’s health and safety protocols
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. Wednesday at Washington; 8 p.m. Friday vs. Oklahoma City
Reggie Bullock, Dallas Mavericks small forward
Age 31 | 6–6, 205 | 10th NBA season | UNC 2010–13 (3 seasons)
124–95 Thursday loss vs. Boston — Started; 37 minutes, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, -12, 2.4 game score
127–117 Saturday win vs. New Orleans — Didn’t start; 26 minutes, 1 point, 0–2 FG, 0–3 3FG, 1–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, +19, 2.9 game score
120–109 Sunday loss at Oklahoma City — Started; 33 minutes, 9 points, 3–7 FG, 3–6 3FG, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, -2, 7.4 game score
Season statistics — 39 games, 5.3 points, 34.7 FG%, 31.7 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists
Next games — 10:30 Tuesday at Los Angeles Clippers; 10 p.m. Thursday at Los Angeles Lakers, TNT
Justin Jackson, Boston Celtics forward
Age 27 | 6–8, 220| sixth NBA season | UNC 2014–17 (3 seasons)
124–95 Thursday win at Dallas — 3 minutes, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, +1, 3.0 game score
121–116 Saturday win at San Antonio and 107–99 Monday win vs. Chicago — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Season statistics — 17 games, 76 minutes, 15 points, 5–20 FG, 4–14 3FG, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 blocks, 4 steals
Next games — 7:30 Wednesday vs.New Orleans; 7:30 Thursday at Brooklyn, TNT
Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz center
Age 21 | 7–0, 245 | rookie NBA season | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
131–114 Thursday win at Houston — 17 minutes, 8 points, 4–6 FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 1 foul, +6, 10.1 game score
126–118 Saturday loss at Chicago — 13 minutes, 4 points, 2–3 FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 5 fouls, -1, 3.3 game score
123–118 Saturday loss at Memphis — 24 minutes, 10 points, 5–7 FG, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 6 blocks, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -6, 15.1 game score
Season statistics — 40 games, 6.9 points, 72.4 FG%, 55.7 FT%, 6.6 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist, 1.9 blocks
Next games — 9 p.m. Tuesday vs. Cleveland; 9 p.m. Friday vs. Orlando
Theo Pinson, Dallas Mavericks guard
Age 27 | 6–5, 212 | fifth NBA season | UNC 2014–18 (4 seasons)
124–95 Thursday loss vs. Boston — 4 minutes, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–1 FT, +3, 2.0 game score
127–117 Saturday win vs. New Orleans — 2 minutes, 2 points, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, plus/minus of 0, 2.3 game score
120–109 Sunday loss at Oklahoma City — 7 minutes, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1 rebound, -3, 2.7 game score
Season statistics — 20 games, 92 minutes, 27 points, 7–23 FG, 5–16 3FG, 8–9 FT, 24 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals
Next games — 10:30 Tuesday at Los Angeles Clippers; 10 p.m. Thursday at Los Angeles Lakers, TNT
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 21 | 6–9, 265 | second NBA season | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
120–119 Friday loss with Long Island at Westchester — Started; 20 minutes, 4 points, 2–9 FG, 0–3 3FG, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 6 fouls, 1 steal, 5 turnovers, 2 blocks, -13
130–97 Sunday win with Long Island at Westchester — Didn’t start; 20 minutes, 10 points, 4–7 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–1 FT, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 foul, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +13
118–110 Monday win with Long Island vs. Windy City — Started; 34 minutes, 24 points, 11–20 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 3 blocks, -1
Season NBA statistics — 20 games, 178 minutes, 77 points, 30–57 FG, 4–5 3FG, 13–19 FT, 64 rebounds, 13 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) — 6 games, 14.0 points, 54.0 FG%, 25.0 3FG%, 66.7 FT%, 11.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.7 blocks
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday for Long Island vs. Windy City and/or 7:30 Thursday for Brooklyn vs. Boston, TNT
Coby White, Chicago Bulls guard
Age 22 | 6–4, 195 | fourth NBA season| UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
126–112 Friday win at Philadelphia — 25 minutes, 9 points, 3–7 FG, 3–7 3FG, 0–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, +6, 5.6 game score
126–118 Saturday win vs. Utah — 29 minutes, 5 points, 2–6 FG, 1–4 3FG, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 fouls, +3, 5.7 game score
107–99 Monday loss at Boston — 20 minutes, 4 points, 1–7 FG, 0–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, plus/minus of 0, 0.3 game score
Season statistics — 32 games, 7.8 points, 41.8 FG%, 35.7 3P%, 2.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists
Next games — 7 p.m. Wednesday at Washington; 8 p.m. Friday vs. Oklahoma City
In the G League
Garrison Brooks, Westchester Knicks center
Age 23 | 6–10, 240 | Rookie | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
120–119 Friday win vs. Long Island — Started; 30 minutes, 10 points, 5–9 FG, 0–3 FT, 10 rebounds, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 5 turnovers, +3
130–97 Sunday loss vs. Long Island — Started; 26 minutes, 2 points, 1–7 FG, 0–2 3FG, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 fouls, 1 turnover, 1 block, -18
Season statistics (showcase; Nov. 4–Dec. 22) — 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
Season statistics (regular season; since Dec. 27) — 4 games, 11.5 points, 48.89 FG%, 30.8 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist, 0.8 of a block
Next games — 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. Greensboro, ESPN+; 7 p.m. Wednesday at Lakeland, ESPN+
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.
— Portland forward Nassir Little suffered a mild femoral impaction fracture to his right hip on Nov. 29 and is nearing his return. 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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