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 — Reserve 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
Team record last season: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Thursday — Hawks 123, Spurs 116 (home) | didn’t start: 16:30, 7 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +3
Saturday — Suns 102, Spurs 98 (road) | didn’t start: 16:54, 6 points, 2–5 FG, 2–5 3FG, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +3
Monday — Jazz 119, Spurs 109 (road) | started: 23:18, 19 points, 3–8 FG, 3–7 3FG, 10–12 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 turnovers, -13
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Phoenix
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock
Leaky Black, Sacramento Kings guard
Age 27 | 6–6, 209 | 4th season | $2.45 million salary | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
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
Thursday — Lakers 114, Kings 110 (road) | didn’t start: 10:45, 4 points, 2–2 FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, -3
Saturday — Warriors 111, Kings 106 (road) | didn’t start: 17:21, 9 points, 3–4 FG, 3–3 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -1
Next exhibition — 10 p.m. Tuesday vs. Portland
Season opener — 10:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Los Angeles Clippers
Tony Bradley, New York Knicks center
Age 28 | 6–10, 248 | 8th pro season | Exhibit 9 contract | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Final statistics last season — 41 games, 4.0 points, 54.7 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Thursday — Wizards 111, Knicks 109 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Monday — Timberwolves 122, Knicks 104 (home) | 7:10, 10 points, 5–5 FG, 2 rebounds, -1
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Tuesday at Toronto
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Philadelphia, NBC
RJ Davis, San Antonio Spurs guard
Age 24 (turns 25 Oct. 21) | 6–0, 182 | second season | $1.35 million salary | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season (South Bay) — 49 games, 18.4 points, 46.8 FG%, 42.4 3P%, 86.4 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists
Thursday — Hawks 123, Spurs 116 (home) | didn’t start: 7:15, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, -8
Saturday — Suns 102, Spurs 98 (road) | didn’t start: 4:20, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2 turnovers, -3
Monday — Jazz 119, Spurs 109 (road) | didn’t start: 14:54, 5 points, 2–8 FG, 1–3 3FG, 0–2 FT, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 3 fouls, team-high +8
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Phoenix
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock
Harrison Ingram, Utah Jazz forward
Age 23 (turns 24 Oct. 21) | 6–6, 230 | second season | $2.45 million salary | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
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
Team record last season: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Monday — Jazz 119, Spurs 109 (home) | didn’t start: 7:02, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -13
Next exhibition — 10 p.m. Friday at Phoenix
Season opener — 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Phoenix
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
Sunday — Nuggets 133, Bulls 128 (home) | started: 24:52, 15 points, 5–7 FG, 4–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +8
Next exhibition — 10:30 Wednesday at Los Angeles Clippers, NBATV
Season opener — 9:30 Thursday, Oct. 22, at Oklahoma City, ESPN
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
Thursday — Lakers 114, Kings 110 (home) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision; jammed finger)
Next exhibition — 10 p.m. Tuesday vs. Golden State, NBATV
Season opener — 10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Golden State, ESPN
Caleb Love, Philadelphia 76ers guard
Age 25 | 6–3, 212 | 2nd season | $678,882 salary | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
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
Thursday — Nets 114, 76ers 108 (road) | didn’t start: 13:34, 4 points, 2–5 FG, 0–3 3FG, 5 assists, 2 fouls, +2
Saturday — Celtics 144, 76ers 106 (road) | didn’t start: 14:15, 3 points, 1–7 FG, 0–4 3FG, 1–3 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -15
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Friday vs. Boston, NBATV
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at New York, NBC
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | $2.76 million salary | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
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
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Sunday — Hornets 105, Bucks 90 (road) | didn’t start: 6:47, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 foul, +3
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Chicago
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Washington
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 21 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $3.54 million salary | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup 2 guard behind Egor Demin
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
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Thursday — Nets 114, Sixers 108 (home) | didn’t start: 14:26, 4 points, 1–4 FG, 0–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, +3
Monday — Nets 131, Wizards 22 (road) | didn’t start: 10:22, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1 rebounds, 3 fouls, +6
Next exhibition — 7:30 Wednesday at Miami
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Charlotte
Cormac Ryan, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $680,985 salary | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
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
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Sunday — Hornets 105, Bucks 90 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Chicago
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Washington
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 25 | 6–10, 265 | 6th season | $10 million salary | UNC 2020–22 (1 season)
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
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Thursday — Nets 114, Sixers 108 (home) | didn’t play (left shoulder soreness)
Monday — Nets 131, Wizards 22 (road) | started: 21:07, 4 points, 1–1 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1–4 FT, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, +4
Next exhibition — 7:30 Wednesday at Miami
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Charlotte
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 3PFG, 81.7 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Team record: 44–38, 9th in Eastern Conference
Will miss preseason after suffering a left calf strain during training camp
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Brooklyn
Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 20 | 6–10, 215 | Rookie season | $10.28 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
Friday — Grizzlies 104, Bulls 100 (home) | started: 31:37, 21 points, 7–17 FG, 5–11 3FG, 2–6 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 3 fouls, -18
Sunday — Nuggets 133, Bulls 128 (road) | started: 25:20, 17 points, 6–10 FG, 1–4 3FG, 4–7 FT, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, 5 turnovers, 3 fouls, +/- of 0
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Wednesday at Milwaukee
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Toronto
Likely out for season
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept.15)
Photo via @chicagobulls
