Tar Heels in NBA: Sharpe scores more than a point a minute, ties career-high with 20, is +27; Anthony, Barnes, Kessler putting up consistent numbers

By R.L. Bynum

The Brooklyn Nets haven’t given Day’Ron Sharpe many chances to show what he can bring to the team in recent weeks. He took advantage of a chance Tuesday night.

After playing only two of the previous nine games, Sharpe came off the bench to lead the Nets in scoring and was a game-high +27 in their 115–109 home loss Tuesday to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn’s fourth consecutive loss.

In only 19 minutes, 48 seconds of action, Sharpe tied his career-high with 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for his second double-double of the season and fourth of his career. He scored a 3-pointer and swiped a career-high two steals, putting up a career-high floor impact counter (FIC) value of 21.0.

“For me, personally, I just tried to take every day like I’m still gonna start, playing 40 minutes,” said Sharpe, who had five points and five rebounds in eight minutes of the Nets’ 108–102 Sunday home loss to Denver. “I lift every day, try to get some conditioning every day. Repetition on the same things that I’m gonna do when I’m on the court. So, I feel like just me doing it all year long has helped me.”

Sharpe’s other 20-point games also came in this season, on Dec. 10 at Indiana and on Jan. 12 at Chicago. His career-high at Carolina was 25 points on Jan. 2, 2021, in a 66–65 home win over Notre Dame.

Cameron Johnson continues to put up consistent numbers, with 14 points and six rebounds against Denver and 16 points, three rebounds and four assists against the Cavaliers.

Brooklyn (39–33) is sixth in the Eastern Conference and only leads Miami by a half-game to avoid the play-in tournament. If the Nets stay in sixth place, they’ll likely play Boston in the first round.

Danny Green didn’t play (coach’s decision) after scoring two points in four minutes in Friday’s 116–94 Cleveland home win over Washington.


Cole Anthony has been stacking solid efforts of late. He collected  18 points and eight rebounds in  Orlando’s 113–108 Saturday road win over the Los Angeles Clippers, 17 points and five rebounds in Sunday’s 111–105 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers and 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists in Tuesday’s 112–112 home win over Washington.


The Sacramento Kings have lost two in a row, falling 128–120 Monday at Utah and 132–109 Tuesday at home against Boston. Harrison Barnes had 16 points and six rebounds against the Jazz and 11 points and five rebounds against the Celtics. In Saturday’s 132–118 win at Washington, Barnes scored 11 points.


Walker Kessler put up a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds in Utah’s 118–117 home win Saturday over Boston and had 10 points, eight rebounds and five blocks in Monday’s victory over the Kings.


Coby White collected 18 points, six assists and two steals in Chicago’s 113–99 Saturday win over Miami. He had eight points in the Bulls’ 139–131 Friday home win over Minnesota and 11 in Monday’s 109–105 victory at Philadelphia.


Dallas (36–36) is tied for seventh in the Western Conference, a half-game back of Golden State, and would be in the play-in tournament if the season ended today. The Mavericks have split their last two games. Reggie Bullock collected nine points, four rebounds and four assists in Friday’s 111–110 road win over the Los Angeles Lakers. He had seven points, three rebounds and three assists in Monday’s 112–108 loss at Memphis. Theo Pinson played seven seconds in the Lakers win.


After missing Portland’s 126–112 Friday loss to Boston with an illness, Nassir Little had four points in 25 minutes in the Blazers’ 117–102 Sunday home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.


In the G League, Justin Jackson scored 20 points and three 3-pointers in the Texas Legends’ 140–91 Friday loss at Capital City. He had 17 points and five 3-pointers in their 122–107 Sunday loss to the Oklahoma City Blue.


Garrison Brooks has missed the Westchester Knicks’ last two games with a hamstring injury.

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


113–108 Saturday win at Los Angeles Clippers 29 minutes, 18 points, 7–14 FG, 1–4 3FG, 3–3 FT, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, plus/minus of 0, 14.4 game score
111–105 Sunday loss at Los Angeles Lakers 28 minutes, 17 points, 5–15 FG, 3–8 3FG, 4–4 FT, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 4 fouls, -14, 13.4 game score
122–112 Tuesday win vs. Washington 30 minutes, 16 points, 7–14 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1–1 FT, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 3 fouls, +6
Season statistics — 54 games, 12.6 points, 44.4 FG%, 35.0 3P%, 88.0 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists
Next games — 7 p.m. Thursday vs. New York; 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Brooklyn


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

132–118 Saturday win at Washington Started; 27 minutes, 11 points, 3–7 FG, 2–3 3FG, 3–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 foul, +7, 9.2 game score
128–120 Monday loss at Utah Started; 30 minutes, 16 points, 5–11 FG, 2–4 3FG, 4–5 FT, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, +7, 12.7 game score
132–109 Tuesday loss vs. Boston Started; 26 minutes, 11 points, 3–7 FG, 2–4 3FG, 3–4 FT, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, -12
Season statistics — 72 games, 14.9 points, 47.0 FG%, 37.4 3FG%, 84.7 FT%, 4.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Next games 10 p.m. Friday vs. Phoenix; 10 p.m Saturday vs Utah


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

111–110 Friday win at Los Angeles Lakers Started; 26 minutes, 9 points, 3–5 FG, 3–5 3FG, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, plus/minus of 0, 8.9 game score
112–108 Monday loss at Memphis Started; 31 minutes, 7 points, 3–6 FG, 1–4 3FG, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 foul, +1, 6.6 game score
Season statistics 69 games, 7.2 points, 40.8 FG%, 38.2 3P%, 70.3 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Next games 7:30 Wednesday vs. Golden State, ESPN; 8:30 Friday vs. Charlotte, Bally Sports SE


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

117–94 Friday win vs. Washington 4 minutes, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, +3, 1.0 game score
115–109 Tuesday 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 7:30 Thursday at Brooklyn; 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Houston


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

108–102 Sunday loss vs. Denver Started; 34 minutes, 14 points, 5–13 FG, 1–6 3FG, 3–3 FT, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, plus/minus of 0, 13.8 game score
115–109 Tuesday loss vs. Cleveland Started; 34 minutes, 16 points, 4–11 FG, 2–4 3FG, 6–6 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -10
Season statistics — 33 games, 15.2 points, 45.0 FG%, 39.5 3P%, 81.8 FT%, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Next games 7:30 Thursday vs. Cleveland; 8 p.m. Saturday at Miami


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

118–117 Saturday win vs. Boston Started; 34 minutes, 12 points, 5–7 FG, 2–5 FT, 14 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks, 2 fouls, +15, 17.3 game score
128–120 Monday win vs. Sacramento Started; 30 minutes, 10 points, 4–6 FG, 2–4 FT, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 blocks, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, +7, 12.5 game score
Season statistics 67 games, 8.7 points, 72.0 FG%, 53.6 FT%, 1–2 3FG, 8.4 rebounds, 0.9 of an assist, 2.3 blocks
Next games 9 p.m. Wednesday vs. Portland; 9 p.m. Friday vs. Milwaukee


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


126–112 Friday loss vs. Boston Didn’t play (illness)
117–102 Sunday loss vs. Los Angeles Clippers 25 minutes, 4 points, 1–4 FG, 0–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, +1, -0.6 game score
Season statistics — 49 games, 6.2 points, 45.5 FG%, 38.8 3P%, 69.2 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 1.0 assist
Next games 9 p.m. Wednesday at Utah; 10 p.m. Friday vs. Chicago


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


111–110 Friday win at Los Angeles Lakers 7 seconds, -3, 0.0 game score
112–108 Monday loss at Memphis 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 7:30 Wednesday vs. Golden State, ESPN; 8:30 Friday vs. Charlotte, Bally Sports SE


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

108–102 Sunday loss vs. Denver 8 minutes, 5 points, 1–2 FT, 3–4 FT, 5 rebounds, 1 block, 1 foul, +13, 6.2 game score
115–109 Tuesday loss vs. Cleveland 20 minutes, 20 points, 8–12 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3–4 FT, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, +27
Season NBA statistics — 38 games, 4.6 points, 52.9 FG%, 6–10 3FG, 63.9 FT%, 4.0 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 7:30 Thursday vs. Cleveland; 8 p.m. Saturday at Miami


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

139–131 Friday win vs. Minnesota 27 minutes, 8 points, 3–6 FG, 2–4 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, plus/minus of 0, 5.5 game score
113–99 Saturday win vs. Miami 27 minutes, 18 points, 7–12 FG, 4–8 3FG, 1 rebound, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, +12, 16.1 game score
109–105 Monday win at Philadelphia 27 minutes, 11 points, 4–9 FG, 1–4 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, plus/minus of 0, 7.2 game score
Season statistics 63 games, 8.9 points, 42.3 FG%, 36.3 3P%, 85.5 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Next games 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Philadelphia; 10 p.m. Friday at Portland


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)

122–112 Saturday loss and 12293 Monday loss at Motor City Didn’t play (hamstring injury)
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
Next games 7 p.m. Thursday at Maine, ESPN+; 7 p.m. Saturday at Capital City


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

140–91 Friday loss at Capital City Started; 32 minutes, 20 points, 6–14 FG, 3–8 3FG, 3–5 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, 1 block, -38
122–107 Sunday loss vs. Oklahoma City Blue — Started; 36 minutes, 17 points, 6–13 FG, 5–11 3FG, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 foul, 1 turnover, +7
Season G League statistics — 12 games, 19.5 points, 42.2 FG%, 39.5 3FG%, 62.5 FT%, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.0 steal
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
Next games 10 p.m. Thursday at Ontario; 10 p.m. Saturday at Santa Cruz


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 @BrooklynNets

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