By R.L. Bynum
Although a milestone by teammate Kevin Durant overshadowed Nassir Little’s effort, the fifth-year former UNC forward had his best game of the season against his former team.
The Portland Trail Blazers dealt Little after four seasons with them, and he showed them what they gave up on Tuesday night. In 22 minutes, Little scored 13 points and pulled down five rebounds, all three numbers season-highs, as the host Phoenix Suns knocked off the Blazers 120–107 in an In-Season Tournament game.
“You can tell he put into work, and he’s a good player,” Phoenix coach Frank Vogel said of Little. “There are a lot of guys on that bench that I trust. He’s playing solid two-way basketball — getting shots, getting plays off the bounce offensively — and he brings a lot of toughness on rebounding and defense.
Little was part of a three-team deal on Sept. 27 that sent him, former Duke star Grayson Allen, Jusuf Nurkić, and Keon Johnson to Phoenix, Damian Lillard to Milwaukee, and Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara and Deandre Ayton to Portland.
It’s been challenging for Little, who didn’t play in five of six games during a stretch from Nov. 2 to Nov. 12. After not scoring more than six points in his first seven games, Little has double-figure points in consecutive games after scoring 10 points in Sunday’s win at Utah. He scored seven points, including a 3-pointer, in the third quarter Tuesday.
With 31 points, Durant — in his 1,000th NBA game — passed Elvin Hayes for 11th on the league’s all-time scoring list.
The Suns moved to 2–1 in tournament pool play, 1½ games back of the Los Angeles Lakers in West Group A.
Cole Anthony scored 15 points and dished out a season-high 10 assists in Orlando’s 126–107 Tuesday home In-Season Tournament victory over Toronto. It was Anthony’s first double-figure assist total since his career-high 11 assists in four games during the 2021–22 season, his second season in the league.
Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley has preached defense for his team. It made a difference down the stretch against the Raptors, and Anthony did his part.
“We strap up, simple as that. We all take pride,” Anthony said. “Jalen [Suggs] and [Joe Ingles], who I like to call the heads of the states on the defensive end — those are two dudes who have all-defensive team potential. I just know, for me, when I’m on the bench, I’m watching how hard Jalen plays on the defensive end; it makes me want to go out there and guard. I think the energy is contagious. Moseley instilled into us that we can be the best defensive team in the league, and I think we’ve been showing that so far.”
Orlando is 2–1 in East Group C, tied with Brooklyn for second place, a half-game behind the Boston Celtics.
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
Team record: 11–17, 11th in Eastern Conference
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
Thursday: Nets 127, Bucks 82 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7 p.m. Sunday at Minnesota
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 Keldon Johnson
Season statistics — 26 games, 12.8 points, 46.6 FG%, 39.9 3P%, 86.0 FT%, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Team record: 19–7, 4th in Western Conference
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
Thursday: Spurs 119, Wizards 94 — Started; 18:14, 2 points, 0–6 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 2 assists, +15
Next game — 7:30 Friday at Atlanta
Tony Bradley, Indiana Pacers center
Age 27 | 6–10, 248 | seventh pro season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string center behind Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson
Season statistics — 23 games, 4.7 points, 56.8 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 74.2 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Team record: 6–21, 14th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Wizards 108, Pacers 89 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Thursday: Knicks 114, Pacers 113 — 3:36, 2 points, 0–2 FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 foul, +/- of 0; left game with right thumb pain
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday at New Orleans
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 Tim Hardaway Jr.
Season statistics — 25 games, 11.7 points, 46.6 FG%, 39.5 3P%, 80.0 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 20–6, 2nd in Western Conference
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
Thursday: Nuggets 126, Magic 115 — Started; 35:41, 19 points, 6–9 FG, 3–5 3FG, 4–4 FT, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 2 fouls, team-high +27
Next game — 5 p.m. Saturday vs. Houston, 5 p.m.
Caleb Love,Portland Trail Blazers guard
Age 24 | 6–3, 212 | Rookie season | Two-way contract | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Backup point guard behind Deni Avdija/fourth-string 2 guard
Season statistics — 19 games, 7.9 points, 33.7 FG%, 26.3 3P%, 80.0 FT%, 2.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 11–16, 10th in Western Conference
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
Thursday: Blazers 134, Kings 133, OT — Didn’t start; 8:39, 5 points, 2–7 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 fouls, +7
Next game — 10 p.m. Saturday at Sacramento
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 20 | 6–5, 195 | Rookie season | 4-year NBA rookie contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup 2 guard behind Terance Mann
Season statistics — 19 games, 6.0 points, 48.8 FG%, 37.8 3FG%, 95.2 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Team record: 7–19, 13th in Eastern Conference
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
Thursday: Heat 106, Nets 95 — 3:56, 3 rebounds, -1; left early with third right ankle sprain of the season.
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Toronto
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 — 25 games, 7.0 points, 59.3 FG%, 25.0 3P%, 63.1 FT%, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Team record: 7–19, 13th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Nets 127, Bucks 82 — 16:52, 10 points, 4–6 FG, 2–2 FT, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 2 fouls, +14
Thursday: Heat 106, Nets 95 — 13:13, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 0–2 3FG, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +1
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Toronto
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
Team record: 11–15, 10th in Eastern Conference
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
Leaky Black, Capital City Go-Go (Wizards) guard
Age 26 | 6–6, 209 | 3rd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
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
Team record: 8–8, 6th in East Division
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
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
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
Team record: 10–6, 3rd in East Division
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., Roku Sports Channel
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
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
Team record: 8–8, 5th in West Division
Saturday: Rip City Remix 122, South Bay 116 — Inactive for game
Tuesday: South Bay 127, San Diego Clippers 118 — Didn’t start; 20 minutes, 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
Harrison Ingram, Austin Spurs forward
Age 23 | 6–5, 230 | 2nd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
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
Team record: 8–8, 5th in South Division
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
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
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
Team record: 5–11, 8th in Central Division
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
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
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
Team record: 5–11, 8th in Central Division
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
tarheeltribune.com 