Tar Heels in NBA: White scores season-high 20, Barnes hits 16, both in losses; each has battled shooting woes

By R.L. Bynum

Coby White’s return as the Chicago Bulls’ starting point guard hasn’t always been smooth this season, with his best assist numbers in four seasons but his worst shooting percentages since his rookie season.

In splitting the last two games against Miami at home, he found the rhythm, following up a 14-point, five-assist effort in Saturday’s 102–97 victory with a season-high 20 points Monday, with five rebounds and three assists, in a 118–101 defeat. He scored four 3-pointers in both games.

White, who led Chicago in scoring Monday, dished out a combined eight assists in the two games to boost his average to 4.1, matching his career-high in the 2020–21 season, his second in the league.

White was 7 of 11 from the floor, including 4 of 8 from 3-point range in Monday’s game. He is shooting 39.6% from the floor (his worst since shooting 39.4% in his rookie 2019–20 season) and 32.6% from outside the arc (35.4% in 2019–20).

He’s scored in double figures in the last three games (16 points at Milwaukee on Nov. 13) after combining for nine points and 4 of 16 shooting in the previous two games.

Chicago (5–10) hasn’t won back-to-back games all season and dealt with a controversy last weekend when guard Zach LaVine declined a postgame interview.

In a nearly eight-minute video posted Monday on the Bulls’ website, “All-Access: Behind-the-Scenes with Coby White,” Golden State guard Chris Paul talks about White’s development, his personality and “big heart,” and Chris Fleming, a Bulls assistant coach, talks about his resiliency and stubbornness.


Harrison Barnes has also dealt with shooting woes but was 4 of 9 from the floor and made 3 of 6 3-point attempts to score 16 points — 12 in the first half — Monday in the Sacramento Kings’ 129–83 loss at New Orleans. He scored 12 points in Sunday’s 129–113 win at Dallas, going 4 of 11 from the floor and 1 of 6 outside the arc.

Barnes is shooting 45.4% from the floor, the worst since shooting 42% in the 2018–19 season and is making only 35.9% of his 3-point attempts, his worst since shooting 35.7% in the 2017–18 season.

Sacramento (8–5) leads the Pacific Division and is fifth in the Western Conference.


Cole Anthony collected 15 points, five rebounds and three assists Sunday in Orlando’s 128–116 victory at Indiana. He’s scored in double figures in the last four games for the Magic (8–5), which is fifth in the Eastern Conference.


Cameron Johnson had nine points, five rebounds and two assists in Brooklyn’s 121–99 Sunday loss to Philadelphia. Day’Ron Sharpe contributed six points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 20 minutes.


After not playing (coach’s decision) in the previous four Houston games and six of the previous eight, Reggie Bullock played eight scoreless minutes with five rebounds, missing a pair of 3-point attempts, in the Rockets’ 121–116 Monday loss at Golden State.


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In 60 minutes this season, he has six points, 12 rebounds and three assists.


Nassir Little has played in three consecutive Phoenix games after not playing (coach’s decision) in the previous four. He scored a season-high 10 points in 20 minutes, with two 3-pointers, three rebounds, two assists and three blocks, in the Suns’ 140–137 win Sunday at Utah.

It was only the third time he’s played more than 14 minutes this season.

Jazz center Walker Kessler missed the game and is expected to miss another week recovering from a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow suffered in the season opener. After playing through it for eight games, the team decided he needed rest and treatment to fully recover.


In the G League on Saturday, Pete Nance had six points and three rebounds in Cleveland’s 104–100 win at Windy City but was scoreless with 11 rebounds in Sunday’s 94–75 loss at Windy City.


Theo Pinson had 12 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals Sunday in the Texas Legends’ 119–105 win at Birmingham. Justin Jackson had seven points, four rebounds and four assists, and Tony Bradley still hasn’t made his season debut for the team.


After nearly putting up a triple-double in his G League debut with the Greensboro Swarm on Friday, Leaky Black had four points, nine rebounds and three assists in the team’s 105–81 home win over Raptors 905 on Saturday.

Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 34 | 6–7, 225 | 15th season | $8 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)

Roster situation — Backup small forward
Final statistics last season — 77 games, 9.9 points, 45.6 FG%, 38.8 3P%, 82.9 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Preseason statistics — 5 games, 18.0 minutes, 8.4 points, 34.6 FG%, 36.4 3P%, 88.9 FT%, 1.4 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist, 0.8 of a steal
Season statistics — 4 games, 1.5 point, 33.3 FG%, 20.0 3P%
Tuesday — Spurs 130, Kings 103 (home) | didn’t start: 13:30, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, +2
Wednesday — Spurs 117, Jazz 111 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decsion)
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday vs. Minnesota


Tony Bradley, Utah Jazz center
Age 28 | 6–10, 248 | 9th NBA season | $2.44 million salary | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)

Roster situation — Fifth-string center
Final statistics last season (Indiana, Atlanta) — 41 games, 4.0 points, 54.7 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Preseason statistics (New York) — 3 games, 7.5 minutes, 5.3 points, 80.0 FG%, 0–1 FT, 1.7 rebounds
Season statistics — 1 game, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 1 rebound, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls
Wednesday — Spurs 117, Jazz 111 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 3 p.m. Saturday vs. Portland


Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets forward
Age 30 | 6–8, 210 | 8th season | $22.5 million salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)

Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of DeMar DeRozan
Final statistics last season — 54 games, 12.2 points, 48.0 FG%, 43.0 3P%, 83.9 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record last season: 54–28, 3rd in Western Conference
Preseason statistics — 5 games, 18.3 minutes, 10.0 points, 55.9 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 2.2 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist
Season statistics — 1 game, 5.0 points, 66.7 FG%, 1–4 3P, 2.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist
Wednesday — Nuggets 104, Pelicans 91 (road) | inactive (ankle injury)
Next game — 10 p.m. Friday at Phoenix (NBA Cup game)


Walker Kessler, Los Angeles Lakers center
Age 25 | 7–2, 245 | 5th season | $30.11 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)

Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Kevon Looney
Final statistics last season (Utah) — 5 games, 14.4 points, 70.3 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks
Preseason statistics — 2 games, 23.4 minutes, 8.5 points, 42.9 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 83.3 FT%, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.5 blocks
Season statistics — 5 games, 14.8 points, 75.0 FG%, 44.4 FT%, 8.2 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 1.2 steal, 2.4 blocks
Tuesday — Blazers 136, Lakers 129 (home) | started: 32:45, 13 points, 6–9 FG, 1–4 FT, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 4 turnovers, 4 fouls, +3, 7.9 game score
Wednesday — Lakers 103, Clippers 87 (road) | started: 26:15, 11 points, 4–7 FG, 3–5 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, 2 fouls, -7, 13.0 game score
Next game — 10 p.m. Friday at Golden State (NBA Cup game)


Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Moritz Wagner
Final statistics last season — 62 games, 8.7 points, 60.1 FG%, 23.1 3FG%, 67.8 FT%, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 18.8 minutes, 7.7 points, 55.6 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 25.0 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.3 blocks
Season statistics — 4 games, 7.5 points, 52.2 FG%, 2–4 3P, 6.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 block
Tuesday — Celtics 125, Nets 124, OT (road) | started: 17:26, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 0–1 3FG, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, +3
Next game — 7:30 Friday vs. Detroit (NBA Cup game)


Coby White, Charlotte Hornets guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 210 | 8th season | $26.81 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)

Roster situation — Starting point guard ahead of Dennis Schroder
Statistics last season (Bulls, Hornets) — 50 games, 17.4 points, 44.6 FG%, 36.2 3P%, 81.7 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Team record: 44–38, 9th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday — Pistons 97, Hornets 89 (road) | inactive: left calf strain
Next game — 7 p.m. Friday at Washington (NBA Cup game)


Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 20 | 6–10, 215 | Rookie season | $10.68 million salary | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)

Roster situation — Starting power forward ahead of Patrick Williams
Statistics last season (UNC) — 24 games, 19.8 points, 57.8 FG%, 25.9 3P%, 71.3 FT%, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.4 blocks
Preseason statistics — 5 games, 26.5 minutes, 15.8 points, 44.1 FG%, 31.0 3P%, 55.6 FT%, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.6 of a steal
Season statistics — 5 games, 20.8 points, 41.3 FG%, 22.2 3P%, 74.1 FT%, 7.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.4 blocks
Wednesday — Knicks 133, Bulls 127 (home) | started: 37:35, 17 points, 5–13 FG, 3–8 3FG, 3–4 FT, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -1, 15.8 game score
Next game — 7:30 Friday at Boston (NBA Cup game)


Likely out for season

Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept.15)

In G League training camp

Final G League statistics last season (Capital City) — 38 games, 10.3 points, 45.6 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals
Final NBA statistics last season (Wizards) — 15 games, 7.1 points, 38.8 FG%, 34.5 3FG%, 87.5 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals
Preseason NBA statistics — 3 games, 19.9 minutes, 7.7 points, 53.8 FG%, 62.5 3P%, 4–4 FT, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 of an assist, 1.3 steals
Season NBA statistics — 2 games, 8 minutes, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 foul
Tuesday in NBA — Spurs 130, Kings 103 (road) | didn’t start: 8:10, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 foul, -1
Season opener — 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, vs. Santa Cruz Warriors


G League statistics last season (South Bay Lakers) — 49 games, 18.4 points, 46.8 FG%, 42.4 3P%, 86.4 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists
Preseason NBA statistics — 3 games, 8.8 minutes, 7 points, 27.3 FG%, 1–4 3FG, 0–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Season opener — 8:30 Friday, Nov. 6, at Rio Grande Valley Vipers


Harrison Ingram, Salt Lake City Stars forward
Age 24 | 6–6, 230 | 3rd pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)

G League statistics last season (Austin) — 40 games, 16.6 points, 49.2 FG%, 34.0 3P%, 62.6 FT%, 12.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists
NBA statistics last season (Spurs) — 7 games, 1.6 points, 83.3 FG%, 1–1 3P
Preseason NBA statistics — 4 games, 7.9 minutes, 19 points, 53.3 FG%, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Season opener — 10 p.m. Friday at Coachella Valley Lakers


NBA season statistics last season — 49 games (limited to 50 under his two-way contract), 10.4 points, 38.8 FG%, 31.8 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists
G League statistics last season — 10 games, 24.7 points, 43.3 FG%, 23.5 3P%, 75.8 FT%, 4.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 3.6 turnovers
Preseason NBA statistics — 4 games, 14.5 minutes, 5.5 points, 25.9 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 55.6 FT%, 1.0 rebound, 3.0 assists, 0.5 of a block
Season NBA statistics — 1 game, 30 seconds, no statistics
Season opener — 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, vs. Capital City Go-Go


G League statistics last season — 12 games, 19.0 points, 53.7 FG%, 40.3 3P%, 78.9 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.1 blocks
NBA statistics last season — 47 games, 5.4 points, 51.5 FG%, 42.0 3P%, 36.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist
Preseason NBA statistics — 4 games, 13.0 minutes, 4.0 points, 35.7 FG%, 30.0 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 3.2 rebounds
Season opener — 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Iowa Wolves


Statistics last season (Vanderbilt) — 36 games, 36 starts, 13.5 points, 44.5 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 84.7 FT%, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Preseason NBA statistics — 4 games, 21.1 minutes, 16 points, 4–18 FG, 2–14 3FG, 6–7 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Season opener — 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Maine Celtics


Final regular-season NBA statistics — 63 games, 6.5 points, 40.2 FG%, 28.0 3FG%, 89.6 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Final regular-season G League statistics — 5 games, 11.8 points, 44.2 FG%, 36.4 3FG%, 72.7 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 10.8 minutes, 4.0 points, 46.2 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 2–2 FT, 1.0 rebound
Season NBA statistics — 1 game, 0 points, 0–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls,
Season opener — 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Greensboro Swarm


Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season — 31 games, 20.9 points, 48.8 FG%, 42.2 3P%, 89.0 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals
NBA statistics last season — 11 games, 14.3 points, 52.0 FG%, 45.8 3P%, 92.3 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steal
Preseason NBA statistics — 3 games, 15.9 minutes, 6.7 points, 46.2 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 57.1 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 of a steal
Season opener — 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Iowa Wolves


Photo via @chicagobulls

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