Tar Heels in NBA: White flirts with triple-double, scores 22, makes big late defensive play as Bulls end 76ers’ win streak

By R.L. Bynum

Coby White continues to do it all for the Chicago Bulls, and was on triple-double watch in the final minutes. But disrupting a potential game-tying inside drive by a 7–0 center in the final seconds was new.

White came over on a defensive rotation and leaped high to challenge Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid as he lunged toward the basket. That forced the All-Star big man to fumble his shot, which went high off the backboard with 6.6 seconds left. DeMar DeRozan hit two free throws, and the Bulls earned a 108–104 victory to snap the Sixers’ six-game win streak.

White followed up a 22-point, seven-rebound, five-assist showing in Saturday’s 118–116 loss at Miami with 24 points, eight rebounds and nine assists in Monday’s win. He extended his career-long streak of consecutive games of at least 20 points to six and is averaging 22.9 points during a stretch of six wins in nine games.

“I’m just playing,” said White, whose 23.5 game score was his sixth in the last eight games of more than 20. “I’m just hooping. Like I always say, man, I give credit to my teammates, my coaches staff, the organization; they believe in me. They give me confidence each and every day to go out there and just be myself. So I can’t thank them enough for that.”

It was the second time in three games that White has come close to a triple-double, after collecting 26 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds Tuesday at Miami.

White extending his franchise record of consecutive games with at least three 3-pointers to 14 at Miami on Saturday. The streak ended Monday, though, when he was 2 of 6 shooting from outside the arc.

“We just made a bunch of plays down at the end,” White said.

The Bulls (11–17, 12th in the Eastern Conference) are playing without All-Star Zach LaVine (left foot inflammation), who will be out for an extended period.

Chicago rallied from a 12-point first-quarter deficit as White scored 13 points in the opening period’s last 4:42. The Bulls took a 55–44 lead behind 16 first-half points from White. White gave Chicago the lead in transition with an explosive one-handed slam with 5:19 left in the first half.


After scoring 16 points and three 3-pointers in Saturday’s 125–104 home win over Utah, Harrison Barnes had 19 points and two 3-pointers Monday in Sacramento’s 143–131 victory over Washington.

Barnes scored 13 of the Kings’ 46 third-quarter points as Sacramento (16–9, fourth in the Western Conference) won its third straight and fourth of the last five.


Rookie Leaky Black played a season-high 11 minutes in Charlotte’s 114–99 Monday loss at Toronto, collecting four points, four rebounds and one assist and getting a transition slam dunk in the first half.

Black didn’t play in Friday’s 112–107 home loss to New Orleans, and had two points and two assists in seven minutes of Saturday’s 135–82 home defeat against Philadelphia. Previously, his highest minutes total was seven in that game against the Sixers.


Brooklyn lost the last three games of a five-game West Coast road trip, going 2–3 to fall to 13–13 and ninth in the Eastern Conference.


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The Nets fell 124–120 at Golden State on Saturday and 125–108 Monday at Utah. Cameron Johnson had 13 points, and Day’Ron Sharpe was scoreless on Saturday. Johnson had 14 points and Sharpe six points and five rebounds on Monday.

Walker Kessler had 14 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks for Utah against the Nets, his fifth double-double in 19 games this season and fifth game with at least five blocks. On Saturday, Kessler only had two points and three rebounds off the bench in the Jazz’s loss at Sacramento.


Orlando lost a pair of games at Boston over the weekend, with Cole Anthony collecting 17 points and four assists in Friday’s 128–111 loss and six points and four assists in Sunday’s 114–97 defeat.


Nassir Little got his first Phoenix start on Sunday in the Suns’ 112–108 home win over Washington, contributing five points and seven rebounds. He had five points and four rebounds off the bench in Friday’s 139–122 home loss to New York.


After Reggie Bullock was scoreless in four minutes during Houston’s 103–96 win Friday at Memphis, he didn’t play in either Sunday’s 128–119 loss at Milwaukee or Monday’s 135–130 defeat at Cleveland (coach’s decision.)

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 34 games, 6.8 points, 43.2 FG%, 30.6 3P%, 61.5 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists
Team record: 18–29, 12th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 139–122 loss at Philadelphia 14:13, 10 points, 3–8 FG, 1–2 3FG, 3–4 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -17
Thursday: 109–99 loss at Washington 14:51, 2 points, 1–7 FG, 0–3 3FG, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, -16
Sunday: 107–79 loss at Boston 17:36, 5 points, 2–11 FG, 1–6 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -9
Next game 8 p.m. Tuesday vs. Chicago


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 49 games, 10.5 points, 43.7 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 85.9 FT%, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 33–16, 2nd in Western Conference
Wednesday: 111–99 win at Houston —Started; 28:46, 9 points, 4–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 foul, +1
Saturday: 111–106 loss at Charlotte —Didn’t start; 24:48, 11 points, 3–6 FG, 3–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +4
Sunday: 111–106 loss at Charlotte —Started; 7 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2–4 FT, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +10
Next game 9:30 Wednesday vs. Oklahoma City, ESPN


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: 13–36, 14th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: 113–110 win vs. Chicago — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Last 10-day contract expires; could return to Pacers after trade deadline


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: 33–17, 3rd in Western Conference
Out for at least a month with a bone bruise and hyperextended right knee


Roster situation Backup point guard behind Deni Avdija/fourth-string 2 guard
Season statistics — 42 games, 11.4 points, 39.8 FG%, 32.3 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Team record: 23–27, 10th in Western Conference
Monday: 102–94 loss at Boston Didn’t start; 25:45, 11 points, 5–14 FG, 1–7 3FG, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 turnovers, -1
Friday: 127–97 loss at New York Didn’t start; 27:14, 12 points, 5–15 FG, 2–10 3FG, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -11
Sunday: 130–111 loss vs. Cleveland Didn’t start; 26:39, 21 points, 8–15 FG, 3–8 3FG, 2–2FT, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -5
Next game 11 p.m. Tuesday vs. Phoenix, Peacock


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 — 17 games, 3.7 points, 55.3 FG%, 45.8 3P%, 1.2 rebounds, 0.4 of an assist
Team record: 18–29, 12th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 139–122 loss at Philadelphia 2:23, 2 points, 1–2 FG, -3
Thursday: 109–99 loss at Washington 20:08, 13 points, 6–10 FG, 1–3 3FG, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 fouls, -1
Sunday: 107–79 loss at Boston 18:08, 7 points, 3–6 FG, 1–3 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 turnover, 4, fouls, -16
Next game 8 p.m. Tuesday vs. Chicago


Roster situation Starting shooting guard
Season statistics 37 games, 6.2 points, 44.2 FG%, 30.8 3FG%, 91.3 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Team record: 13–35, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 106–102 loss at Phoenix Started; 8:28, 1 turnover, -9
Thursday: 107–103 loss at Denver Didn’t start; 19:59, 7 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -11
Friday: 109–99 win at Utah Didn’t start; 16:01, 2 points, 1–1 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, +14
Sunday: 130–77 loss at Detroit Didn’t start; 32:09, 12 points, 3–7 FG, 1–3 3FG, 5–5 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, -30
Next game 7:30 Tuesday vs. Los Angeles Lakers


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 46 games, 8.0 points, 60.3 FG%, 22.6 3P%, 67.7 FT%, 6.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 13–35, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 106–102 loss at Phoenix Didn’t start; 19:19, 7 points, 3–5 FG, 1–2 FT, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 foul, +5
Thursday: 107–103 loss at Denver Didn’t start; 16:59, 7 points, 3–5 FG, 1–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -12
Friday: 109–99 win at Utah Didn’t start; 17:49, 16 points, 4–5 FG, 1–1 3FG, 7–9 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, +12
Sunday: 130–77 loss at Detroit Didn’t start; 22:12, 8 points, 2–5 FG, 4–6 FT, 11 rebounds, 5 turnovers, 1 foul, -12
Next game 7:30 Tuesday vs. Los Angeles Lakers


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 — 28 games, 18.5 points, 43.9 FG%, 35.0 3PFG, 81.0 FT%, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists
Team record: 24–26, 9th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: 113–110 loss at Indiana Started; 31:34, 14 points, 5–15 FG, 1–5 3FG, 3–4 FT, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, -9
Thursday: 116–113 loss vs. Miami Started; 31:34, 14 points, 2–11 FG, 2–8 3FG, 8–10 FT, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 5 fouls, +5
Saturday: 125–118 win at Miami Didn’t play (injury management; right calf)
Sunday: 134–91 loss at Miami Started; 29:30, 16 points, 4–13 FG, 0–6 3FG, 8–8 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 turnovers, 2 fouls, team-low -42
Next game 8 p.m. Tuesday at Milwaukee


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


Season statistics — 29 games, 10.8 points, 46.4 FG%, 36.2 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.0 steals
Friday: 124–99 loss vs. Wisconsin Herd Started; 31 minutes, 6 points, 2–7 FG, 2–4 3FG, 9 rebounds, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -18
Saturday: 110–98 win vs. Wisconsin Herd Started; 38 minutes, 9 points, 4–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 10 rebounds, 4 assist, 3 steals, 1 block, +16
Next game 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. South Bay Lakers, ESPN+


Season statistics — 26 games, 5.3 points, 44.3 FG%, 36.8 3P%, 68.4 FT%, 5.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.4 of a block
Wednesday: 115–97 win vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce, Friday: 124–111 loss at Noblesville Boom and Sunday: 125–109 loss at Noblesville Boom Inactive for all three games
Next game 7 p.m. Saturday at Capital City Go-Go


Season statistics — 28 games, 19.4 points, 44.8 FG%, 40.6 3P%, 88.3 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Tuesday: 121–107 win vs. College Park Skyhawks Started; 30 minutes, 21 points, 7–18 FG, 3–7 3FG, 2–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +17
Thursday: 125–118 win vs. Salt Lake City Stars Started; 34 minutes, 30 points, 11–22 FG, 4–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, +24
Saturday: 146–104 win vs. Salt Lake City Stars Started; 35 minutes, career-high 45 points, 15–22 FG, 69 3FG (6 ties his career-high), 4–4 FT, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 blocks, +42
Next game 7 p.m. Monday at Osceola Magic, Prime Video


Season NBA statistics — 3 games, 11 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +13
Season G League statistics — 21 games, 14.6 points, 47.4 FG%, 29.6 3P%, 60.0 FT%, 11.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Tuesday: 116–107 win at Valley Suns Started; 27 minutes, 9 points, 4–12 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1–3 FT, 12 rebounds, 5 assist, 2 fouls 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +5
Thursday: 119–115 loss vs. Stockton Kings Started; 30 minutes, 15 points, 5–14 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3–5 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 turnover, -5
Next game 11:30 a.m. Wednesday vs. Texas Legends


Season statistics — 23 games, 19.1 points, 49.1 FG%, 40.7 3P%, 90.7 FT%, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals
Friday: 124–99 win at Capital City Go-Go Started; 31 minutes, 22 points, 9–15 FG, 4–8 3FG, 0–1 FT, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, +11
Saturday: 110–98 loss at Capital City Go-Go Started; 31 minutes, 16 points, 6–17 FG, 4–11 3FG, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -2
Next game 11 a.m. Thursday at Delaware Blue Coats


Photo via @ChicagoBulls

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