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.
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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.
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%
Saturday — Spurs 122, Mavericks 106 (road) | didn’t start: 3:57, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, +6
Tuesday — Spurs 130, Kings 103 (home) | didn’t start: 13:30, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, +2
Next game — 9 p.m. Wednesday at Utah
Leaky Black, Sacramento Kings guard
Age 27 | 6–6, 209 | 4th season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Reserve; likely to play share of games 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
Preseason 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 statistics — 2 games, 8 minutes, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 foul
Sunday — Grizzlies 123, Kings 112 (home) | 1 second, +1
Tuesday — 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
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday at New Orleans
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
Sunday — Lakers 132, Jazz 123 (home) | not active for game
Monday — (season debut) Grizzlies 110, Jazz 105 (home) | 5:30, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 1 rebound, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -5
Next game — 9 p.m. Wednesday vs. San Antonio
Harrison Ingram, Utah Jazz forward
Age 24 | 6–6, 230 | 3rd pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string forward 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
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 7.9 minutes, 19 points, 53.3 FG%, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Monday — Grizzlies 110, Jazz 105 (home) | inactive for game
Next game — 9 p.m. Wednesday vs. San Antonio
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
Monday — Warriors 134, Nuggets 114 (home) | inactive (ankle injury)
Next game — 8 p.m. Wednesday at New Orleans
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 — 4 games, 15.8 points, 78.4 FG%, 38.5 FT%, 8.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 1.0 steal, 2.8 blocks
Sunday — Lakers 132, Jazz 123 (road) | started: 28:28, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 7 rebounds, 1 block, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, +6
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
Next game — 10:30 Wednesday at Los Angeles Clippers
Caleb Love, Philadelphia 76ers guard
Age 25 | 6–3, 212 | 2nd season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | 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
Preseason 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 statistics — 1 game, 30 seconds, no statistics
Saturday — (season debut) Sixers 127, Bucks 116 (home) | 30 seconds, no statistics
Sunday — Pistons 106, Sixers 93 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday at Indiana, ESPN
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | 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
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 13.0 minutes, 4.0 points, 35.7 FG%, 30.0 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 3.2 rebounds
Monday — Bucks 110, Pacers 102 (home) | inactive; at training camp for G League’s Wisconsin Herd
Next game — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Houston
Tyler Nickel, New York Knicks forward
Age 23 | 6–7, 220 | rookie season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot
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 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
Tuesday — Knicks 111, Pistons 97 (home) | inactive; at camp for G League Westchester Knicks
Next game — 8 p.m. Wednesday at Chicago
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
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 10.8 minutes, 4.0 points, 46.2 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 2–2 FT, 1.0 rebound
Saturday — Cavaliers 125, Nets 121 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Sunday — (season debut) Pacers 136, Nets 109 (home) | didn’t start: 12:21, 0 points, 0–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, -7
Tuesday — Celtics 125, Nets 124, OT (road) | not active: at camp for G League’s Long Island Nets
Next game — 7:30 Friday vs. Detroit (NBA Cup game)
Cormac Ryan, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $680,984 salary (2-way contract) | 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
Preseason 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
Monday — Bucks 110, Pacers 102 (home) | inactive; at training camp for G League’s Wisconsin Herd
Next game — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Houston
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 25 | 6–10, 265 | 6th season | $10 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (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
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
Saturday — Cavaliers 125, Nets 121 (road) | started: 22:40, 7 points, 3–10 FG, 1–2 3FG, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, +6
Sunday — Pacers 136, Nets 109 (home) | started: 16:12, 11 points, 3–4 FG, 1–1 3FG, 4–7 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -13
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
Monday — Hornets 110, Wizards 103 (home) | inactive: left calf strain
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday at Detroit
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 — 4 games, 21.0 points, 41.9 FG%, 17.9 3P%, 73.9 FT%, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.5 blocks
Monday — Celtics 134, Bulls 99 (road) | started: 31:40, 17 points, 7–15 FG, 1–5 3FG, 2–4 FT, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, -3, 10.3 game score
Next game — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. New York
Likely out for season
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept.15)
In G League training camp
San Antonio released guard RJ Davis (preseason statistics: 3 games, 8.8 minutes, 7 points, 27.3 FG%, 1–4 3FG, 0–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block), but signed him Monday to the training camp roster for the Austin Spurs, its G League affiliate.
