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 — Third-string point guard behind Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins
Season statistics — 30 games, 6.8 points, 44.6 FG%, 32.2 3P%, 59.1 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Team record: 18–25, 11th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: Thunder 122, Bucks 102 — 24:15, 17 points, 7–9 FG, 3–4 3FG, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 turnovers, 4 fouls, -7
Next game — 9:30 Friday vs. Denver, Prime Video
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 — 45 games, 10.7 points, 43.2 FG%, 35.8 3P%, 87.0 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 31–14, 2nd in Western Conference
Tuesday: (at) Rockets 111, Spurs 105— Started; 24:37, 6 points, 2–6 FG, 2–5 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, -2
Thursday: Spurs 126, (at) Jazz 109 — Started; 21:51, 2 points, 1–5 FG, 0–4 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, -5
Next game — 7 p.m. Sunday vs. New Orleans
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 — 37 games, 4.1 points, 55.7 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 74.4 FT%, 2.9 rebounds
Team record: 8–34, 15th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: (at) Celtics 119, Pacers 104— 6:18, 2 points, 1–5 FG, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, -2
Next game — 8 p.m. Friday at Oklahoma City
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 — 28 games, 11.7 points, 46.1 FG%, 42.9 3P%, 81.0 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 29–15, 3rd in Western Conference
Out for at least a month with a bone bruise and hyperextended right knee
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 — 37 games, 11.3 points, 39.3 FG%, 32.9 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists
Team record: 23–22, 9th in Western Conference
Thursday: Blazers 127, Heat 110 — Didn’t start; 33:30, 20 points, 8–19 FG, 4–12 3FG, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, +15
Next game — 10 p.m. Friday vs. Toronto
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 20 | 6–5, 195 | Rookie season | 4-year NBA rookie contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting shooting guard
Season statistics — 31 games, 6.4 points, 44.7 FG%, 30.8 3FG%, 88.9 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 of a steal
Team record: 12–30, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: (at) Knicks 120, Nets 86 — Started; 25:13, 6 points, 2–9 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 foul, -26
Next game — 7:30 Friday vs. Boston
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 — 40 games, 7.9 points, 60.7 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 67.3 FT%, 6.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 12–30, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: (at) Knicks 120, Nets 86 — Started; 23:51, 6 points, 2–5 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, team-low -36
Next game — 7:30 Friday vs. Boston
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 — 23 games, 18.7 points, 45.5 FG%, 35.2 3PFG, 78.8 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists
Team record: 22–22, 9th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: Bulls 138, Clippers 110 — Started; 30:37, 27 points, 9–16 FG, 6–10 3FG, 3–3 FT, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, +15
Thursday: Bulls 120, (at) Timberwolves 115 — Started; 29:56, 22 points, 6–16 FG, 3–10 3FG, 7–9 FT, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 turnovrers, 2 fouls, +6
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday vs. Boston
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 — 24 games, 10.8 points, 45.7 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.2 steals
Thursday: (at) Austin Spurs 110, Capital City 103 — Started; 37 minutes, 15 points, 6–11 FG, 3–7 3FG, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 fouls, 2 blocks, -4
Next game — 8 p.m. Friday at Austin Spurs
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 25 games, 5.4 points, 44.2 FG%, 37.6 3P%, 68.4 FT%, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.4 of a block
Thursday: Cleveland Charge 113, Birmingham 104 — Didn’t start; 17 minutes, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, 1 block, -11
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday vs. Cleveland Charge
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 24 games, 18.2 points, 43.3 FG%, 39.0 3P%, 88.1 FT%, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Tuesday: (at) Rio Grande Valley Vipers 126, South Bay 119 — Started; 32 minutes, 24 points, 7–15 FG, 4–7 3FG, 3–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, -14
Thursday: Mexico Citiy Capitanes 123, South Bay 113 — Didn’t start; 33 minutes, 21 points, 7–10 FG, 3–4 3FG, 3–4 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, -4
Next game — 7:30 Saturday vs. Mexico City Capitanes
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 — 16 games, 15.8 points, 50.5 FG%, 32.8 3P%, 62.5 FT%, 11.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Tuesday: Austin 127, (at) Oklahoma City Blue 112 — Started; 34 minutes, 13 points, 6–16 FG, 1–5 3FG, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers, 1 block +4
Thursday: Austin Spurs 110, Capital City 103 — Started; 38 minutes, 11 points, 4–8 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1–3 FT, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, +5
Next game — 8 p.m. Friday vs. Capital City Go-Go
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Season G League statistics — 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
Season NBA statistics — 13 games, 3.2 points, 57.1 FG%, 52.9 3P%, 1.2 rebounds, 0.4 of an assist
Wednesday in NBA with Bucks: Thunder 122, Bucks 102 — 29:42, 11 points, 4–7 FG, 3–5 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +3
Thursday: Noblesville Boom 95, Wisconsin 90 — Inactive for the game
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday vs. Noblesville Boom
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 20 games, 19.8 points, 48.9 FG%, 39.7 3P%, 92.0 FT%, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals
Thursday: Noblesville Boom 95, Wisconsin 90 — Started; 31 minutes, 23 points, 9–12 FG, 5–8 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, -2
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday vs. Noblesville Boom
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