Tar Heels in NBA: Green returns after horrible knee injury; Kessler blocks 7 shots; Brooks suffers concussion

By R.L. Bynum

After a gruesome knee injury during last season’s playoffs that many thought would end his career, Danny Green finally made his season debut Wednesday night after a long rehabilitation process.

When he tore the MCL and LCL in his left knee, he was with the Philadelphia 76ers. After an offseason trade to the Memphis Grizzlies, Green, 35, entered the game to start the second quarter of their 122–112 home loss to Portland.

“It felt good,” said Green, a member of UNC’s 2009 national championship team. “Game obviously moved fast, so I had to slow it down a little, but it was good to get out there.”

About 4½ minutes later, he showed that he still has that sweet perimeter shot with a 3-pointer. It wasn’t a particularly spectacular game, with that shot accounting for his only points. But just the fact that Green played was huge.

“Obviously would have been nice to win the game but, for me, it was it was good to get my feet wet a little bit,” said Green, who added four rebounds, an assist and a steal in 10 minutes. “The knee is fine. Physically, I felt fine. Mentally fine. Conditioning was good. The game was a little fast for the first time being out there. It’s gonna slow down. I’ve just got to take some reps, just a couple more minutes on the road and, hopefully, get back to feeling comfortable behind the wheel.”

Green joins a Memphis team led by Ja Morant that is second in the Western Conference at 32–19 but badly needs a wing off the bench who can make 3-pointers, and he can also give the Grizzlies leadership.

For the Blazers, Nassir Little had two points and four rebounds in 13 minutes after scoring six in Monday night’s 129–125 home win over Atlanta.


Walker Kessler, who will play in the Rising Stars game on Feb. 17, became the only player this season to block seven shots in two games, blocking six of those in the first quarter of Utah’s 131–128 home victory over Toronto. That tied Mark Eaton’s franchise record for blocks in a quarter.

“[Kessler] got seven blocks tonight, and I don’t know how many more he affected. Guys just stopped going in on him at some point,” said Lauri Markkanen, who led Utah with 28 points and 13 rebounds

Kessler finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds for the 11th double-double of his rookie season.


Harrison Barnes scored 14 points and two 3-pointers while pulling down six rebounds Wednesday as the Sacramento Kings won their second consecutive road game, beating San Antonio 119–109. Barnes had eight points and four steals in Monday’s 118–11 victory over Minnesota.

The Kings are third in the Western Conference at 29–21.


Cole Anthony collected 11 points, four rebounds and a steal while making all seven free-throw attempts in Orlando’s 105–94 Wednesday loss at Philadelphia. He had five points and five rebounds in Monday’s 119–109 road win over the Sixers.


Justin Jackson had two points and three rebounds in eight minutes of Boston’s 139–96 Wednesday home win over Brooklyn. For the Nets, Day’Ron Sharpe had nine points and seven assists after collecting eight points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocks in Monday’s 121–104 home win over the Los Angeles Lakers.


Cameron Johnson has had a couple of rough games, combining for 10 points and 3 of 16 shooting while making only 2 of 9 3-point attempts in two home games this week, a 114–196 Monday win over Toronto and a 132–100 Wednesday loss to Atlanta.


Reggie Bullock scored nine points and three 3-pointers while dishing out three assists in Dallas’ 111–105 Monday home win over Detroit. Theo Pinson didn’t play (coach’s decision).


In Chicago’s 108–103 Tuesday home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Coby White scored eight points and two 3-pointers. Tony Bradley didn’t play (coach’s decision) for the fifth consecutive game.


In the G League, Garrison Brooks missed Westchester’s 115–11 Wednesday win at Wisconsin with a concussion. He suffered the injury in the first minute of Monday’s 114–113 win at Lakeland. Brooks had 11 points and 10 rebounds in Sunday’s 103–94 home win over Grand Rapids for his 19th double-double of the season.

Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard

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

119–109 Monday win at Philadelphia — 16 minutes, 5 points, 2–7 FG, 1–3 3FG, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -2, 2.1 game score
105–94 Wednesday loss at Philadelphia — 18 minutes, 11 points, 2–7 FG, 0–2 3FG, 7–7 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 foul, -11, 9.4 game score
Season statistics — 34 games, 12.0 points, 43.2 FG%, 33.8 3P%, 89.9 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Next games — 8 p.m. Friday at Minnesota; 1 p.m. Sunday at Charlotte, Bally Sports SE


Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings forward

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

118–111 Monday win at Minnesota — Started; 41 minutes, 8 points, 3–11 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1–3 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +1, 4.6 game score
119–109 Wednesday win at San Antonio — Started; 36 minutes, 14 points, 5–9 FG, 2–4 3FG, 2–2FT, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, +20, 11.6 game score
Season statistics — 50 games, 15.2 points, 47.8 FG%, 38.4 3FG%, 82.3 FT%, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Next games 7 p.m. Friday at Indiana; 7 p.m. Friday at New Orleans


Tony Bradley, Chicago Bulls center

Age 25 | 6–10, 248 | sixth NBA season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)

108–103 Tuesday loss vs. Los Angeles Clippers — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Season statistics — 10 games, 25 minutes, 12 points, 4–8 FG, 2–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Next games 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Charlotte, Bally Sports SE; 8 p.m. Saturday vs. Portland


Reggie Bullock, Dallas Mavericks small forward

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

111–105 Monday win vs. Detroit — 29 minutes, 9 points, 3–5 FG, 3–5 3FG, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, +15, 9.7 game score
Season statistics 50 games, 6.5 points, 39.0 FG%, 36.4 3P%, 65.5 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists
Next games 8:30 Thursday vs. New Orleans; 8:30 Saturday at Golden State, ABC


Danny Green, Memphis Grizzlies guard

Age 35 | 6–6, 205 | 13th NBA season | UNC 2005–09 (4 seasons)

122–112 Wednesday loss vs. Portland (season debut) — 10 minutes, 3 points, 1–4 FG, 1–4 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -2, 2.1 game score
Next games 7:30 Thursday at Cleveland, TNT; 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Toronto


Justin Jackson, Boston Celtics forward

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

139–96 Wednesday win vs. Brooklyn — 8 minutes, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, -1, 2.6 game score
Season statistics — 22 games, 107 minutes, 20 points, 7–27 FG, 5–20 3FG, 17 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 blocks, 4 steals
Next games — 7:30 Friday vs. Phoenix, NBATV; 7 p.m. Monday at Detroit


Cameron Johnson, Phoenix Suns forward

Age 27 | 6–8, 210| fourth NBA season | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)

114–106 Monday win vs. Toronto — Started; 26 minutes, 4 points, 1–9 FG, 1–6 3FG, 1–2FT, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 foul, +6, 0.2 game score
132–100 Wednesday loss vs. Atlanta — 15 minutes, 6 points, 2–7 FG, 1–3 3FG, 1–1 FT, 1 rebound, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -31 (season-worst), -0.6 game score
Season statistics — 15 games, 13.5 points, 45.1 FG%, 44.0 3P%, 80.03 FT%, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Next games — 7:30 Friday at Boston, NBATV; 7 p.m. Saturday at Detroit


Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz center

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

131–128 Wednesday win vs. Toronto — Started; 30 minutes, 17 points, 8–10 FG, 1–3 FT, 14 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 7 blocks, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, +4, 23.8 game score
Season statistics 50 games, 7.9 points, 71.8 FG%, 53.1 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist, 2.1 blocks
Next games 9 p.m. Friday vs. Atlanta; 9 p.m. Monday vs. Dallas


Nassir Little, Portland Trail Blazers forward

Age 22 | 6–5, 220 | third NBA season | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)


129–125 Monday win vs. Atlanta — 13 minutes, 6 points, 2–3 FG, 2–2 3FG, 2 fouls, +4, 3.9 game score
122–112 Wednesday win at Memphis — 13 minutes, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +9, 2.6 game score
Season statistics — 30 games, 6.1 points, 48.9 FG%, 44.3 3P%, 61.5 FT%, 2.3 rebounds, 0.9 of an assist
Next games 7 p.m. Friday at Washington; 8 p.m. Saturday at Chicago


Theo Pinson, Dallas Mavericks guard

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


111–105 Monday win vs. Detroit — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Season statistics — 25 games, 132 minutes, 41 points, 12–34 FG, 9–24 3FG, 8–9 FT, 27 rebounds, 13 assists, 2 steals
Next games 8:30 Thursday vs. New Orleans; 8:30 Saturday at Golden State, ABC


Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center

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


121–104 Monday win vs. Los Angeles Lakers — 21 minutes, 8 points, 4–8 FG, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 5 fouls, +9, 12.9 game score (second-highest this season)
139–96 Wednesday loss at Boston — 27 minutes, 9 points, 4–7 FG, 1–2 FT, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -26, 7.0 game score
Season NBA statistics — 26 games, 3.9 points, 52.6 FG%, 4–5 3FG, 65.2 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist, 0.6 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. Saturday vs. Washington; 7:30 Monday vs. Los Angeles Clippers, NBATV


Coby White, Chicago Bulls guard

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

108–103 Tuesday loss vs. Los Angeles Clippers — 18 minutes, 8 points, 3–8 FG, 2–4 3FG4 rebounds, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -2, 3.4 game score
Season statistics 42 games, 8.2 points, 40.9 FG%, 36.1 3P%, 2.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Next games 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Charlotte, Bally Sports SE; 8 p.m. Saturday vs. Portland


In the G League

Garrison Brooks, Westchester Knicks center

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

103–94 Sunday win vs. Grand Rapids Started; 26 minutes, 11 points, 5–9 FG, 1–1 FT, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, 1 turnover, 1 block, +/- of 0
114–113 Monday win at Lakeland — Started; 1 minute, 2 points, 1–1 FG, 1 rebound, +5
115–111 Wednesday win at Wisconsin — Didn’t play (concussion)
Season statistics 27 games, 13.2 points, 63.8 2PFGP%, 0–18 3P, 53.7 FT%, 11.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.6 of a block, 19 double-doubles
Next games 7 p.m. Monday at College Park; 7 p.m. Wednesday at College Park, ESPN+


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.

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