By R.L. Bynum
As the Jordan year — ’23 — winds down, Coby White and Cameron Johnson scored 23 points in Wednesday night losses. Harrison Barnes netted 22 points in a defeat, but Cole Anthony’s team had the best night as he scored 20 points.
It was the best collective night of the season by former Carolina players.
Anthony’s big night in only 29 minutes helped host Orlando knock off reigning NBA champion Denver 124–119 for the Magic’s fifth consecutive victory. All five rebounds, including three big offensive rebounds, came in the second half.
Anthony was 6 of 11 from the floor and 7 of 8 from the free throw line and put up a 15.8 game score. He has scored in double figures in 13 of 15 games while averaging only about 25½ minutes.
Orlando scored 42 fourth-quarter points and is 10–5 in a four-way tie for second in the Eastern Conference.
White’s 23 points were a season-high, as were his seven 3-pointers (on 12 attempts). Five of those 3s came in the second quarter, but Chicago still trailed 50–39 at halftime and lost 116–102 at Oklahoma City, which has won six in a row.
That was the most 3-pointers for White, who had five assists, since notching a career-high eight 3-pointers on Feb. 10, 2021, against New Orleans in a 30-point game. The 23 points were his most since scoring 24 last season on April 7 at Dallas.
Chicago (5–11) is 13th in the Eastern Conference and has lost two in a row.
Johnson’s 23 points in Brooklyn’s wild 147–145 overtime loss at Atlanta were a season-high, as were his 22.5 game score and five 3-pointers. He was 8 of 13 from the floor and 5 of 8 from outside the arc with five assists.
Johnson gave the Nets the lead on a tip-in with 3.3 seconds left in regulation before a Trae Young free throw sent the game into overtime.
Day’Ron Sharpe had six points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block in 14 minutes off the bench for the Nets.
Barnes scored 22 points on 6 of 13 shooting, including going 4 of 9 from 3-point range and making all six free-throw attempts in Sacramento’s 117–112 loss at New Orleans.
Nassir Little collected 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in Phoenix’s 123–115 home win over Golden State. In the last three games, he’s averaged 11 points and 4.3 rebounds.
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Reggie Bullock played four scoreless minutes, missing his only shot, in Houston’s 111–91 home win over Memphis. He’s played in consecutive games for the first time since early November but hasn’t played more than eight minutes since Nov. 8.
Leaky Black didn’t play in the Greensboro Swarm’s 105–102 Wednesday G League loss to Maine because of a right wrist injury.
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.
Photo via @chicagobulls
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