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, 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 — 26 games, 6.8 points, 42.8 FG%, 28.5 3P%, 59.1 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists
Team record: 12–18, 11th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Timberwolves 103, Bucks 100 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Tuesday: Bucks 111, Pacers 94 — 1:14, 3 points, 1–1 FG, 1–1 3FG, +2
Next game — 8 p.m. Friday at Memphis
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 — 30 games, 12.9 points, 47.2 FG%, 40.1 3P%, 88.7 FT%, 3.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 22–7, 2nd in Western Conference
Thursday: Spurs 130, Thunder 110 — Started; 30:25, 15 points, 5–12 FG, 3–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, +2
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday vs. Utah
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 — 24 games, 4.5 points, 56.8 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 74.2 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Team record: 6–24, 14th in Eastern Conference
Saturday: (at) Pelicans 128, Pacers 109 and Monday: (at) Celtics 103, Pacers 95 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Tuesday: Bucks 111, Pacers 94 — 2:46, -2
Next game — 7 p.m. Friday vs. Boston
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: 21–8, 3rd in Western Conference
Thursday: Nuggets 142, Timberwolves 138, OT — Out four to six weeks with a bone bruise and hyperextended right knee
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday at Orlando
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 — 22 games, 7.9 points, 34.4 FG%, 26.1 3P%, 78.9 FT%, 2.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 12–18, 10th in Western Conference
Saturday: Blazers 98, (at) Kings 93 — Didn’t start; 9:25, 2 points, 1–5 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1 foul, -13
Monday: Pistons 110, Blazers 102 — Didn’t start; 18:03, 5 points, 1–5 FG, 0–3 3FG, 3–4 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -2
Tuesday: Magic 110, Blazers 106 — Didn’t start; 33:31, 17 points, 7–13 FG, 3–8 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, season-high 3 blocks (had none beforehand), 3 fouls, +2
Next game — 1 p.m. Friday vs. Los Angeles Clippers, Prime Video
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: 9–19, 13th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Nets 96, Raptors 81 and Tuesday: Nets 96, Raptors 81— Didn’t play (ankle injury)
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday at Minnesota
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 — 27 games, 7.1 points, 59.8 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 65.2 FT%, 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 9–19, 13th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Nets 96, Raptors 81 — Didn’t start; 20:24, 8 points, 3–4 FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, -1
Tuesday: Nets 114, (at) Sixers 106 — 20:44, 9 points, 3–5 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2–2 FT, 11 rebounds, 6 assists (ties career-high), 1 steal, 3 fouls, +16
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday at Minnesota
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 — 13 games, 21.4 points, 44.8 FG%, 31.9 3PFG, 79.6 FT%, 3.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists
Team record: 14–15, 10th in Eastern Conference
Friday: Bulls 136, (at) Cavaliers 125 — Started; 29:46, 13 points, 5–13 FG, 1–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, +16
Sunday: Bulls 152, (at) Hawks 150 — Started; 31:04, 21 points, 6–13 FG, 3–7 3FG, 6–10 FT, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, +4
Tuesday: Bulls 126, (at) Hawks 123 — Started; 31:10, 24 points, 7–13 FG, 5–10 3FG, 5–6 FT, 4 assists, 3 steals, 7 turnovers, 3 fouls, +7
Next game — 7:30 Friday vs. Philadelphia, Prime Video
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 — 16 games, 10.7 points, 44.4 FG%, 26.7 3P%, 70.6 FT%, 6.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.7 steals
Team record: 1–1, tied for 4th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 6–8, fifth in East Division
Saturday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: Capital City 125, Oklahoma City Blue 86 — Started; 28 minutes, 8 points, 3–6 FG, 2–3 3FG, 4 assists, 1 foul, 1 turnover, +31
Monday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: Sioux Falls Skyforce 116, Capital City 103 — Started; 32 minutes, 11 points, 3–8 FG, 3–6 3FG, 1–1 FT, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 2 turnovers, -10
Next game — 3 p.m. Saturday at Capital City Skyhawks
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 14 games, 4.9 points, 44.4 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.5 of a block
Team record: 1–1, tied for 4th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 5–7, seventh in South Division
Saturday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: Iowa Wolves 117, Birmingham 101 — Didn’t start; 0 points, 0–2 FG, 0–2 3FG, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, -10
Sunday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: Birmingham 125, Valley Suns 121 — Didn’t start; 6 points, 1–2 FG, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 foul, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +9
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday at Westchester Knicks
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 15 games, 19.1 points, 45.4 FG%, 36.4 3P%, 86.4 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steal
Team record: 2–1, tied for 1st in Western Conference; finished Showcase Cup 7–7, fifth in West Division
Saturday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: South Bay 130, Sioux Falls Skyforce 106 — Didn’t start, 26 minutes, 16 points, 4–8 FG, 2–5 3FG, 3–5 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 2 steals, +20
Sunday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: South Bay 131, Wisconsin Herd 119 — Didn’t start, 30 minutes, 25 points, 9–15 FG, 3–6 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, +21
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday at Oklahoma City Blue
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 — 10 games, 15.9 points, 51.3 FG%, 37.8 3P%, 58.3 FT%, 10.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals
Team record: 0–2, tied for 12th in Western Conference; finished Showcase Cup 12–2, first in South Division
Friday in quarterfinals of the Winter Showcase Cup in Orlando: Stockton Kings 119, Austin 117, OT — Didn’t start; 35 minutes, 11 points, 5–11 FG, 1–3 3FG, 0–1 FT, 10 rebounds, 2 fouls, -11
Sunday Winter Showcase: Maine Celtics 123, Austin 114 — Started; 18 points, 5–9 FG, 1–3 3FG, 4–6 FT, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 foul, 1 steal, -12
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday vs. Mexico City Capitanes
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: 0–1, tied for 14th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 4–10, eighth in Central Division
Sunday: South Bay Lakers 131, Wisconsin 119 and Monday: Rio Grande 118, Wisconsin 103, both at Winter Showcase in Orlando — Inactive for both games
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday at Grand Rapids Gold
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 8 games, 16.9 points, 50.5 FG%, 34.7 3P%, 15–15 FT, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steal
Team record: 0–2, tied for 12th in Western Conference; finished Showcase Cup 4–10, eighth in Central Division
Sunday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: South Bay Lakers 131, Wisconsin 119 — Started; 32 minutes, 22 points, 8–15 FG, 2–8 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 fouls, 6 steals, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +8
Monday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: Rio Grande 118, Wisconsin 103 — Started; 28 minutes, 17 points, 7–11 FG, 3–5 3FG, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, -6
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday at Grand Rapids Gold
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