By R.L. Bynum
Coby White is shooting into Chicago’s record books and has the Bulls on a roll after they had struggled through most of November.
White collected 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists in Chicago’s 111–100 home victory Wednesday over the Charlotte Hornets for the Bulls’ third consecutive victory after losing the previous five games.
“We stayed with it,” White said of his team turning things around of late. “In this league, it’s going to be ups and downs all season — ebbs and flows. Adversity will always hit. Your true character shows in those moments. I feel like our true character has shown. We’re staying in this together, and things are falling into place.”
He scored three 3-pointers to become the first player in Bulls franchise history with a stretch of nine consecutive games with at least three 3-pointers.
“I’m just shooting with confidence, and if I’m open, I shoot it,” said White, who scored eight 3s against New Orleans, five against Brooklyn and four against Miami (twice) and against Toronto during the streak.
Chicago (8–14) is 12th in the Eastern Conference.
Leaky Black didn’t play (coach’s decision) for the second consecutive Hornets game.
Cole Anthony also scored 19 points, but in Orlando’s second consecutive loss after winning its previous nine. Paolo Banchero’s career-high 42 points weren’t enough as host Cleveland won 121–111.
Anthony added seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks for the Magic, which fell to 14–7 and are third in the Eastern Conference.
Brooklyn ended Orlando’s win streak and won again Wednesday as Cameron Johnson scored 17 points and three 3-pointers with six rebounds and three assists in the Nets’ 114–113 win at Atlanta. It was Brooklyn’s fifth win in six games (11–9; ninth in the Eastern Conference).
Subscribe to read Tar Heel Tribune ad-free
Subscribe for a cleaner, smoother reading experience without the flashing banners, slow-loading elements, or those especially annoying pop‑up ads that interrupt the flow of the story. You’ll also get the first version of each story emailed to you. The only ads you’ll see are static, non-intrusive ads for UNC‑related books, and there are none currently on the site.
There were 43 lead changes, the most in the NBA since the league began tracking play-by-play in 1996.
“You’ve gotta love it,” said Johnson, who scored 15 first-half points. “We were trading blows back and forth. That’s what you love as a competitor.”
Day’Ron Sharpe added eight points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.
Brooklyn’s Mikal Bridges scored 45 points, including the game-winning step-back jumper with 4.5 seconds left.
Walker Kessler, who has come off the bench for all six games since returning from missing seven games with an elbow injury, had six points and eight rebounds in Utah’s 147–97 loss at Dallas.
Reggie Bullock had three points in six minutes for Houston in the Rockets’ 110–101 home win over Oklahoma City.
On Monday, Harrison Barnes had four points and four rebounds as host Sacramento lost 127–117 in a Western Conference quarterfinal of the In-Season Tournament.
On Tuesday, Nassir Little had five points, two rebounds and two assists in Phoenix’s 106–103 road loss against the Los Angeles Lakers in another Western Conference quarterfinal.
In the G League on Tuesday, Justin Jackson collected 26 points, three 3-pointers, 12 rebounds, six assists and three steals in the Texas Legends’ 116–112 win at Osceola.
Neither Theo Pinson nor Tony Bradley were active for the game.
Pete Nance had 20 points, two 3-pointers, eight rebounds and three assists in the Cleveland Charge’s 111–100 home win Tuesday over Motor City.
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 34 | 6–7, 225 | 15th season | $8 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Reserve 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
Team record last season: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Preseason opener — Hawks 123, Spurs 116 (Thursday at home) | didn’t start: 16:30, 7 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +3
Next exhibition — 10:30 Saturday at Phoenix, ESPN2
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock
Leaky Black, Sacramento Kings guard
Age 27 | 6–6, 209 | 4th season | $2.45 million salary | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play 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 opener — Lakers 127, Kings 103 (Monday at home) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Thursday — Lakers 114, Kings 110 (road) | didn’t start: 10:45, 4 points, 2–2 FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, -3
Next exhibition — 8:30 Saturday at Golden State
Season opener — 10:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Los Angeles Clippers
Tony Bradley, New York Knicks center
Age 28 | 6–10, 248 | 8th pro season | Exhibit 9 contract | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Final statistics last season — 41 games, 4.0 points, 54.7 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Preseason opener — 76ers 120, Knicks 97 (Monday) | didn’t start: 6:05, 2 points, 1–1 FG, -2
Thursday — Wizards 111, Knicks 109 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next exhibition — 7:30 Monday vs. Minnesota, NBATV
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Philadelphia, NBC
RJ Davis, San Antonio Spurs guard
Age 24 (turns 25 Oct. 21) | 6–0, 182 | second season | $1.35 million salary | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season (South Bay) — 49 games, 18.4 points, 46.8 FG%, 42.4 3P%, 86.4 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists
Preseason opener — Hawks 123, Spurs 116 (Thursday at home) | didn’t start: 7:15, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, -8
Next exhibition — 10:30 Saturday at Phoenix, ESPN2
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock
Harrison Ingram, Utah Jazz forward
Age 23 (turns 24 Oct. 21) | 6–6, 230 | second season | $2.45 million salary | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Roster situation — 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
Team record last season: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Preseason opener — Jazz 109, Nuggets 97 (Sunday) | didn’t start: 12:00, 6 points, 3–7 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, two fouls, +1
Tuesday — Nuggets 117, Jazz 106 (home) | didn’t start: 7:35, 7 points, 3–5 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, +5
Next exhibition — 9 p.m. Monday vs. San Antonio
Season opener — 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Phoenix
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 opener — Jazz 109, Nuggets 97 (Sunday) | started: 15:20, 8 points, 3–7 FG, 2–6 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 3 fouls, -7
Tuesday’s exhibition — Nuggets 117, Jazz 106 | started: 15:20, 10 points, 4–7 FG, 2–3 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 fouls, +6
Next exhibition — 9 p.m. Sunday vs. Chicago, ESPN
Season opener — 9:30 Thursday, Oct. 22, at Oklahoma City, ESPN
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 opener — Lakers 127, Kings 103 (Monday on road) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision; jammed finger)
Tuesday — Warriors 124, Lakers 98 (road) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision; jammed finger)
Thursday — Lakers 114, Kings 110 (home) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision; jammed finger)
Next exhibition — 10 p.m. Tuesday vs. Golden State, NBATV
Season opener — 10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Golden State, ESPN
Caleb Love, Philadelphia 76ers guard
Age 25 | 6–3, 212 | 2nd season | $678,882 salary | 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 opener — Sixers 120, Knicks 97 (Monday on road) | didn’t start: 23:33, 15 points, 4–10 FG, 3–6 3FG, 4–6 FT, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, +18
Thursday — Nets 114, 76ers 108 (road) | didn’t start: 13:34, 4 points, 2–5 FG, 0–3 3FG, 5 assists, 2 fouls, +2
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Saturday at Boston, NBATV
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at New York, NBC
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | $2.76 million salary | 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
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Preseason opener — Timberwolves 116, Bucks 97 (Monday) | didn’t start: 6:42, 3 points, 1–1 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1 rebound, -4
Wednesday’s exhibition — Bucks 128, Thunder 126 | didn’t start: 12:35, 6 points, 2–5 FG, 2–4 3FG, 5 rebounds, 1 turnovers, 2 fouls, +4
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Sunday at Charlotte
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Washington
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
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Preseason opener — Nets 124, Hornets 90 (Tuesday on road) | didn’t start: 12:32, 9 points, 4–6 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, team-high +20
Thursday — Nets 114, Sixers 108 (home) | didn’t start: 14:26, 4 points, 1–4 FG, 0–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, +3
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Monday at Washington
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Charlotte
Cormac Ryan, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $680,985 salary | 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
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Preseason opener — Timberwolves 116, Bucks 97 (Monday) | didn’t play
Wednesday’s exhibition — Bucks 128, Thunder 126 | didn’t start: 11:12, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnovers, 4 fouls, +9
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Sunday at Charlotte
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Washington
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 25 | 6–10, 265 | 6th season | $10 million salary | UNC 2020–22 (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
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Preseason opener — Nets 124, Hornets 90 (Tuesday on road) | started: 17:56, 8 points, 4–9 FG, 0–2 3FG, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, +19
Thursday — Nets 114, Sixers 108 (home) | didn’t play (left shoulder soreness)
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Monday at Washington
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Charlotte
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 3PFG, 81.7 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Team record: 44–38, 9th in Eastern Conference
Will miss preseason after suffering a left calf strain during training camp
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Brooklyn
Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 20 | 6–10, 215 | Rookie season | $10.28 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 opener — Bulls 124, Suns 117 (Wednesday) | started: 29:06, team-high 15 points, 6–16 FG, 0–4 3FG, 3–3 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 5 fouls, -3
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Friday vs. Memphis, NBATV (Sunday’s 9 p.m. game at Denver is on ESPN)
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Toronto
Likely out for season
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept.15)
Photo via @chicagobulls
