By R.L. Bynum
Coby White and Cam Johnson had big games but Harrison Barnes and Sacramento were the big winners as the Kings advanced to the quarterfinals of the inaugural In-Season Tournament. Nassir Little’s Suns also advanced, but he had a bigger off-the-court life moment.
Malik Monk’s fadeaway jumper with seven seconds left earned Sacramento a 124–123 home win Tuesday over Golden State to win Western Conference Group C at 4–0 and advance to the eight-team knockout round.
Barnes had 12 points, two 3-pointers, and four rebounds in the win, which put Sacramento in a 10 p.m. Monday Western Conference quarterfinal home game against New Orleans (TNT). Barnes scored all 12 points in the first half and didn’t play in the fourth quarter after going scoreless in 8½ third-quarter minutes.
Barnes is three away from 12,000 career points.
The only other UNC alum in the knockout round is Nassir Little, whose Phoenix Suns play on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers at 10 p.m. on Tuesday (TNT) in the other Western Conference quarterfinal. The Suns finished second in Western Conference Group A at 3–1.
In the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, Boston plays at Indiana at 7:30 Monday (TNT) and New York is at Milwaukee at 7:30 Tuesday (TNT)
The semifinals doubleheader is Thursday, Dec. 7, in Las Vegas, with the championship game at 8:30 Saturday night, Dec. 9, in Las Vegas.
Having his team advance was far from the biggest news for Little, who is missing the Suns’ game Wednesday in Toronto. He has been in Phoenix for the birth of his first child, a girl. Below is an Instagram post by his girlfriend from a week ago.
Cam Johnson had 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists to help Brooklyn win 115–103 at home against Toronto on Tuesday, but it wasn’t enough for the Nets to advance to the tournament quarterfinals.
The Nets (9–8 overall) finished in a three-way tie for first place in Eastern Conference Group C with Boston and Orlando at 3–1.
Entering Tuesday, the Nets needed at least a 15-point win and have Boston beat Chicago by fewer than 21 to win the group (the Celtics won 124–97). Brooklyn could have earned a wild-card berth with a win and losses by Cleveland, Miami and New York, but the Knicks beat Charlotte 115–91.
Day’Ron Sharpe had five points, five rebounds and two assists in 15 minutes for Brooklyn.
A familiar recent scenario played out again, with White playing well and Chicago losing.
White contributed 19 points and three 3-pointers in Chicago’s 124–97 loss at Boston, the Bulls’ fifth consecutive loss. Chicago (5–14 overall and 13th in the Eastern Conference) finished last at 0–4 in Eastern Conference Group C.
White had a 15.8 game score Tuesday and has put up three of his top four game scores on the season in the last five games.
Coming off the bench for the second straight game after returning from missing seven games with a UCL sprain, Walker Kessler had 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks Monday in Utah’s 114–112 home win over New Orleans.
Leaky Black didn’t score but had a steal in five minutes during Charlotte’s 115–91 Tuesday loss at New York.
Reggie Bullock didn’t play (coach’s decision) in Houston’s 121–115 road win Tuesday over Dallas, his former team. It was the second consecutive game and sixth in the last eight that he didn’t get in a game.
In the G League, Justin Jackson came off the bench to score 21 points and five 3-pointers and pulled down six rebounds in the Texas Legends’ 124–114 loss Tuesday at Rio Grande. Theo Pinson added 12 points, six assists, two rebounds and a block off the bench.
The Legends’ Tony Bradley still hasn’t made his season debut as he battles a calf injury.
On Monday, Pete Nance had 12 points, two 3-pointers and eight rebounds in the Cleveland Charge’s 102–92 home victory over Grand Rapids.
Cole Anthony, Phoenix Suns guard
Age 25 | 6–2, 185 | 6th season | $2.67 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
Roster situation — Uncertain
Season statistics — 35 games, 6.7 points, 42.4 FG%, 30.6 3P%, 61.5 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Team record: 31–22, 7th in Western Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 win with Milwaukee vs. Chicago — 12:14, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +12
Hasn’t been added to the active Phoenix roster
Next game — 9 p.m. Tuesday vs. Dallas
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 — 52 games, 10.6 points, 44.0 FG%, 37.6 3P%, 83.9 FT%, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 36–16, 2nd in Western Conference
Wednesday: 116–106 win vs. Oklahoma City —Didn’t start; 29:33, 9 points, 3–9 FG, 2–7 3FG, 1–2 FT, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, +/- of 0
Thursday: 135–123 win at Dallas — Started; 34:23, 19 points (most points since scoring 20 on Dec. 23 against Oklahoma City), 5–7 FG, 5–7 3FG, 4–4 FT, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, +8
Saturday: 138–125 win vs. Dallas — Didn’t start; 22:03, 9 points, 3–6 FG, 3–5 3FG, 0–2 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, -12
Next game — 10:30 Tuesday at Los Angeles Lakers, NBATV
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 — 38 games, 4.0 points, 55.7 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Team record: 13–40, 15th in Eastern Conference
Last 10-day contract expired; could return to Pacers later
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 — 29 games, 11.8 points, 46.9 FG%, 43.4 3P%, 81.0 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Team record: 34–19, 3rd in Western Conference
Saturday: 136–120 win at Chicago — Started; 27:15, 14 points, 6–9 FG, 2–3 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, +21
Next game — 9 p.m. Monday vs. Cleveland
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 — 44 games (limited to 50 under his two-way contract), 11.3 points, 39.1 FG%, 31.9 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Team record: 25–28, 10th in Western Conference
Tuesday: 130–125 loss vs. Phoenix — Didn’t start; 8:20, 0 points, 0–2 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 turnover, -2
Friday: 135–115 win vs. Memphis — Not active for game
Saturday: 122–115 win vs. Memphis — Didn’t start; 27:14, 17 points 7–18 FG, 3–11 3FG, 1 rebound, season-high 8 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, -3
Next game — 10 p.m. Monday vs. Philadelphia
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks 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 — 20 games, 5.0 points, 59.7 FG%, 51.4 3P%, 2.0 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Team record: 21–29, 12th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 win vs. Chicago — 27:14, season-high 15 points, 6–8 FG, 3–5 3FG, season-high 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, +19
Wednesday: 141–137 OT win vs. New Orleans — 18:49; 16 points, 6–9 FG, 4–7 3FG, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, +4
Friday: 105–99 win vs. Indiana — 18:01, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, -4
Next game — 7:30 Monday at Orlando, Peacock
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 — 40 games, 6.0 points, 43.1 FG%, 29.3 3FG%, 89.4 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Team record: 13–37, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 125–109 loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers — Didn’t start; 3:42, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -6
Thursday: 118–98 loss at Orlando — Didn’t start; 18:59, 6 points, 3–9 FG, 0–4 3FG, 0–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -2
Saturday: 127–113 win vs. Washington — Didn’t start; 22:28, 5 points, 2–7 FG, 1–4 3FG, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 2 fouls, +24
Next game — 7:30 Monday vs. Chicago
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 — 49 games, 8.3 points, 61.7 FG%, 22.6 3P%, 68.3 FT%, 6.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Team record: 13–37, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 125–109 loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers — Didn’t start; 25:43, 19 points, 9–12 FG,1–1 FT, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 1 turnovers, 4 fouls, +14; third double-double of season
Thursday: 118–98 loss at Orlando — Didn’t start; 13:10, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, -6
Saturday: 127–113 win vs. Washington — Didn’t start; 19:38, 19 points, 9–11 FG, 1–1 FT, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 4 fouls, +26
Next game — 7:30 Monday vs. Chicago
Coby White, Charlotte Hornets 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 — 29 games, 18.6 points, 43.8 FG%, 34.6 3PFG, 80.5 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists
Team record: 25–28, 10th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 loss with Chicago at Milwaukee — Started; 30:20, 21 points, 7–17 FG, 2–8 3FG, 5–7 FT, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, -15
Hasn’t played yet in Charlotte because of a left calf strain
Next game — 7 p.m. Monday vs. Detroit
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 — 32 games, 10.7 points, 46.5 FG%, 37.5 3P%, 68.30 FT%, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.0 steals
Wednesday: 124–111 loss vs. South Bay Lakers — Started; 33 minutes, 17 points 5–8 FG, 5–7 3FG, 1–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 5 fouls, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -6
Friday: 115–114 win vs. South Bay Lakers — Started; 39 minutes, 2 points, 1–4 FG, 0–1 3FG, 0–1 FT, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 6 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +0
Saturday: 122–116 loss vs. Birmingham Squadron — Started; 37 minutes, 10 points, 4–8 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1–3 FT, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 2 steals, -10
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday at Greensboro Swarm, ESPN+
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 31 games, 19.5 points, 44.8 FG%, 40.6 3P%, 87.1 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Monday: 137–133 loss at Osceola Magic — Started; 31 minutes, 17 points, 6–15 FG, 2–6 3FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 5 turnovers, -6
Wednesday: 124–111 win at Capital City Go-Go — Started; 31 minutes, 25 points, 9–15 FG, 3–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 fouls, 2 turnovers, +7
Friday: 115–114 loss at Capital City Go-Go — Started; 20 points, 6–17 FG, 2–7 3FG, 3–4 FT, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 6 turnovers, 1 block, -8
Next game — 10 p.m. Wednesday vs. San Diego Clippers, ESPN+
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 — 23 games, 14.7 points, 46.9 FG%, 30.8 3P%, 61.2 FT%, 11.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Wednesday: 104–95 win vs. Texas Legends — Started; 37 minutes, 8 points, 3–12 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1–2 FT, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 fouls, 5 turnovers, +16
Saturday: 112–111 loss at Rio Grande Valley Vipers — Started; 33 minutes, 23 points, 8–14 FG, 3–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 fouls, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 1 block, -6
Next game — 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Iowa Wolves
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 24 games, 20.0 points, 49.3 FG%, 41.6 3P%, 91.1 FT%, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals
Thursday: 105–103 loss at Delaware Blue Coats — Started; 30 minutes, 23 points, 8–14 FG, 4–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, -1
Saturday: 99–94 loss at Delaware Blue Coats — Inactive for game
Next game — 7:30 Monday vs. Birmingham Squadron, Prime Video
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