Tar Heels in pros: Leaky Black nearly puts up triple-double in spectacular G League debut; Anthony has big game as Magic beats Bulls

By R.L. Bynum

Leaky Black had trouble getting playing time with the Charlotte Hornets, but when given a chance in the G League for the Greensboro Swarm on Friday night, he took advantage of the opportunity.

Black flirted with a triple-double off the bench with 12 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and two steals and was +24 in the Swarm’s 108–82 home victory over Raptors 905.

After scoring five points over three games in 14 minutes for the Hornets, he doubled that playing time with 28 minutes in his G League debut after he got transferred to the Swarm earlier on Friday.

Black made four of six shots. Former UCLA guard Amari Bailey, a second-round Charlotte pick in the 2023 NBA draft, also made his G League debut for Greensboro, and had 26 points, six rebounds and three assists. Both are on two-way contracts.

Both were sent to Greensboro after the Hornets got Miles Bridges, Gordon Hayward and Brandon Miller back in the lineup on Friday for Friday’s 130–99 home loss to Milwaukee.

Greensboro faces Raptors 905 at home again at 7 p.m. Saturday.

In Saturday’s 105–81 Swarm win over Raptor 905, Black had four points, nine rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block in 19 minutes of the bench.


In the NBA, Cole Anthony and Orlando avenged a Thursday loss to Coby White and Chicago on Friday.

Anthony had a good all-around game with 11 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and a steal in the Magic’s 103–97 win at Chicago. White had four points, four assists and a steal in 30 minutes.

Just as in the Thursday game, Orlando blew a big lead, a 19-point advantage, but held on for the win this time.

White’s dunk with 26 seconds left gave Chicago a 97–96 lead, but Orlando finished the game with a 6–1 run.


After playing only 3½ minutes in one game over the previous five Phoenix games, Nassir Little had five points in 11 minutes during the Suns’ 131–128 win at Utah.


Reggie Bullock wasn’t as fortunate, as he didn’t play (coach’s decision) for the third consecutive Houston game and fifth in the last seven, a 106–100 Rockets road victory against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Cole Anthony, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 25 | 6–2, 185 | 6th season | $2.67 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)

Roster situation — Backup point guard behind Kevin Porter
Season statistics 25 games, 6.9 points, 43.5 FG%, 27.5 3P%, 59.1 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Sunday: Nets 127, Bucks 82 Didn’t start; 20:11, 2 points, 0–4 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 4 fouls, -27
Next game 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Toronto


Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 33 | 6–7, 225 | 14th season | $19 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)

Roster situation Starting power forward ahead of Jeremy Sochan
Season statistics 25 games, 13.2 points, 47.7 FG%, 41.0 3P%, 85.4 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Saturday in NBA Cup West final: Spurs 111, Thunder 109 — Started; 27:03, 6 points, 2–10 FG, 0–8 3FG, 2–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +15
Tuesday in NBA Cup championship game: Knicks 124, Spurs 113 — Started; 23:28, 11 points, 4–9 FG, 0–4 3FG, 3–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, +4
Next game 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Washington


Roster situation Third-string center behind Isaiah Jackson and Jay Huff
Season statistics 22 games, 4.8 points, 58.3 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 72.4 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Sunday: Wizards 108, Pacers 89 Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game 7 p.m. Thursday vs. New York


Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets forward
Age 29 | 6–8, 210 | 7th season | $22.54 million salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)

Roster situation Starting small forward ahead of Bruce Brown
Season statistics 24 games, 11.4 points, 45.7 FG%, 38.5 3P%, 78.4 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Monday: Nuggets 128, Rockets 125 Started; 43:03, 13 points, 5–9 FG, 2–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, +8
Next game 9 p.m. Thursday vs. Orlando


Season statistics — 18 games, 8.1 points, 34.0 FG%, 26.3 3P%, 80.0 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Sunday: Blazers 136, Warriors 131 Didn’t start; 12:00, 8 points, 3–6 FG, 2–2 3FG, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -9
Next game 10 p.m. Thursday vs. Sacramento


Season statistics 18 games, 6.3 points, 48.8 FG%, 37.8 3FG%, 95.2 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Sunday: Nets 127, Bucks 82 23:20, 13 points, 4–7 FG, 2–4 3FG, 3–3 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, team-high +31
Next game 7:30 Thursday vs. Miami


Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 24 | 6–9, 265 | 5th season | $6.25 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)

Roster situation Backup center behind Nic Claxton
Season statistics 24 games, 7.1 points, 59.6 FG%, 27.8 3P%, 63.1 FT%, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Sunday: Nets 127, Bucks 82 16:52, 10 points, 4–6 FG, 2–2 FT, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 2 fouls, +14
Next game 7:30 Thursday vs. Miami


Coby White, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 25 | 6–4, 195 | 7th season | $12.88 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)

Roster situation Starting shooting guard ahead of Ayo Dosunmu
Season statistics — 10 games, 22.0 points, 44.5 FG%, 29.2 3PFG, 81.3 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists
Sunday: Pelicans 114, Bulls 104 Started; 28:28, 20 points, 8–18 FG, 1–10 3FG, 3–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, -10
Wednesday: Bulls 127, Cavaliers 111 Started; 30:22, 25 points, 8–13 FG, 3–5 3FG, 6–7 FT, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, -1
Next game 7:30 Friday at Cleveland


Out for season

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (torn labrum in left shoulder); season statistics: 5 games, 14.4 points, 70.3 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.8 blocks


Season statistics — 14 games, 10.7 points, 43.5 FG%, 21.6 3P%, 73.3 FT%, 6.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.1 steals
Sunday: Capital City 127, Delaware Blue Coats 107 Started; 27 minutes, 15 points, 7–11 FG, 1–3 3FG, 0–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 fouls, 1 steal, +4
Tuesday: Delaware Blue Coats 120, Capital City 110 Started; 37 minutes, 11 points, 5–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 fouls, 2 turnovers, -2
Next game 3:30 Saturday vs. Oklahoma City Blue in Orlando, Fla., ESPN News


Season statistics — 12 games, 5.5 points, 45.8 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.6 of a block
Sunday: Rio Grande Valley Vipers 133, Birmingham 127 Didn’t start; 25 minutes, 8 points, 4–4 FG, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 2 blocks, +12
Tuesday: Birmingham 142, Rio Grande Valley Vipers 111 Didn’t start; 19 minutes, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls, 2 turnovers, +7
Next game 7:30 Saturday at Iowa Wolves in Orlando, Fla.


Season statistics — 13 games, 18.8 points, 43.0 FG%, 35.4 3P%, 89.2 FT%, 3.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.8 of a steals
Saturday: Rip City Remix 122, South Bay 116 Inactive for game
Tuesday: South Bay 127, San Diego Clippers 118 Didn’t start; 4 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 assists, 1 foul, 2 turnovers, -2
Next game noon Saturday vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce in Orlando, Fla., NBATV


Season NBA statistics — 3 games, 11 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +13
Season G League statistics — 8 games, 16.3 points, 51.1 FG%, 38.7 3P%, 58.8 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals
Saturday: (at) Texas Legends 126, Austin 122 Didn’t start; 35 minutes, 24 points, 10–13 FG, 3–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 blocks, +1
Next game noon Friday vs. Stockton Kings in Orlando, Fla., in the quarterfinals of the Winter Showcase Cup, ESPNU


Season G League statistics — 6 games, 20.0 points, 60.8 FG%, 45.2 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 blocks
Season NBA statistics — 7 games, 37 minutes, 18 points, 7–14 FG, 4–9 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Sunday in NBA: Nets 127, Bucks 82 9:24; 0–3 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, -13
Tuesday: Iowa Wolves 110, Wisconsin 108 Inactive for game
Next game 6 p.m. Sunday vs. South Bay Lakers in Orlando, Fla., ESPNU


Season statistics — 6 games, 16.0 points, 47.9 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 13–13 FT, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Saturday: Grand Rapids Gold 107, Wisconsin 103 Didn’t play; 23 minutes, 16 points, 7–11 FG, 2–5 3FG, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 1 block, -5
Sunday: Wisconsin 107, Iowa Wolves 102 Didn’t start; 24 minutes, 13 points, 3–10 FG, 1–6 3FG, 5–5 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls, 3 turnovers, +11
Tuesday: Iowa Wolves 110, Wisconsin 108 Didn’t start; 23 minutes, 14 points, 5–11 FG, 2–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 fouls, 1 block, +3
Next game 6 p.m. Sunday vs. South Bay Lakers in Orlando, Fla., ESPNU


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