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.

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 — Backup point guard behind Kevin Porter
Season statistics 24 games, 7.1 points, 43.5 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 55.0 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists
Saturday: Pistons 124, Bucks 112 Didn’t start; 4:46, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, +13
Thursday: Bucks 116, Celtics 101 Didn’t start; 18:54, 9 points, 4–6 FG,1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 5 fouls, +9
Next game 6 p.m. Sunday at Brooklyn


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 Jeremy Sochan
Season statistics 24 games, 13.5 points, 48.9 FG%, 43.4 3P%, 88.6 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Monday: Spurs 135, (at) Pelicans 132 — Started; 35:07, team-high 24 points, 9–15 FG, 4–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, -17
Wednesday: Spurs 132, (at) Lakers 119 in NBA Cup West semifinal — Started; 32:33, 16 points, 5–12 FG, 4–9 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +8
Next game 9 p.m. Saturday at Las Vegas in NBA Cup West final vs. Oklahoma City, Prime Video


Roster situation Third-string center behind Isaiah Jackson and Jay Huff
Season statistics 22 games, 4.8 points, 58.3 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 72.4 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Monday: Pacers 116, Kings 105 Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Friday: (at) Sixers 115, Pacers 105 8:41, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, +1
Next game 3 p.m. Sunday vs. Washington


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 Bruce Brown
Season statistics 24 games, 11.4 points, 45.4 FG%, 38.5 3P%, 79.6 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Sunday: Nuggets 115, Hornets 106 Started; 38:38, 8 points, 2–7 FG, 1–4 3FG, 3–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 fouls, +9
Thursday: Nuggets 136, (at) Kings 105 Started; 32:34, 16 points, 6–13 FG, 1–5 3FG, 3–4 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steals, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +17
Next game 9:30 Monday vs. Houston, Peacock


Season statistics — 17 games, 8.1 points, 33.3 FG%, 24.7 3P%, 80.0 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Sunday: (at) Grizzlies 119, Blazers 96 Didn’t start; 20:07, 4 points, 2–7 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -19
Thursday: (at) Pelicans, 143, Blazers 120 Didn’t start; 11:55, 21:44, 9 points, 4–9 FG, 0–5 3FG, 1–1 FT, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, -9
Next game 9 p.m. Sunday vs. Golden State


Season statistics 17 games, 5.9 points, 48.0 FG%, 36.4 3FG%, 94.4 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Saturday: Nets 119, Pelicans 101 Didn’t start; 20:34, 3 points, 1–4 FG, 1–3 3FG, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -4
Friday: Mavericks 119, Nets 111 Didn’t start; 2:41, 1 assist, 2 fouls, +2
Next game 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Milwaukee


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 23 games, 7.0 points, 59.2 FG%, 27.8 3P%, 61.9 FT%, 5.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists
Saturday: Nets 119, Pelicans 101 Didn’t start; 18:49, 16 points, 7–8 FG, 2–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -6
Friday: Mavericks 119, Nets 111 Didn’t start; 13:26, 6 points, 1–3 FG, 4–4 FG, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -5
Next game 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Milwaukee


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 — 8 games, 21.9 points, 42.7 FG%, 29.8 3PFG, 80.0 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists
Sunday: Warriors 123, Bulls 91 Started; 24:37, 12 points, 3–10 FG, 0–3 3FG, 6–7 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 4 turnovers, 3 fouls, -27
Sunday: Bulls 129, (at) Hornets 126 Started; 29:39, 20 points, 6–15 FG, 1–4 3FG, 7–9 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +7
Next game 7 p.m. Sunday vs. New Orleans


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 — 12 games, 10.3 points, 40.0 FG%, 19.6 3P%, 78.6 FT%, 6.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.4 steals
Wednesday: Maine Celtics 112, Capital City 101 Started; 38 minutes, 13 points, 4–12 FG, 1–4 3FG, 2–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 blocks, -7
Friday: Capital City 111, Maine Celtics 77 Started; 26 minutes, 15 points, 5–8 FG, 3–4 3FG, 1–1 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 block, +17
Next game 2 p.m. Sunday vs. Delaware Blue Coats


Season statistics — 10 games, 5.6 points, 44.0 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.5 of a block
Sunday: Texas Legends 121, (at) Birmingham 91 Didn’t start; 4 points, 1–3 FG, 2–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 foul, 5 turnovers, 1 block, -16
Tuesday: Texas Legends 130, (at) Birmingham 94 Didn’t start; 20 minutes, 2 points, 1–6 FG, 0–2 3FG, 6 rebounds, 1 foul, 3 turnovers, -22
Thursday: Birmingham 103, (at) Oklahoma City Blue 101 Didn’t start; 17 minutes, 6 points, 2–4 FG, 1–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 fouls, 1 steal, +3
Next game 4 p.m. Sunday vs. Rio Grande Valley Vipers


Season statistics — 12 games, 20.1 points, 43.9 FG%, 36.1 3P%, 88.6 FT%, 4.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals
Sunday: South Bay 141, Rip City Remix 130 (road) Started; 31 minutes, 23 points, 7–15 FG, 2–7 3FG, 5–5 FT, 7 rebounds, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 5 turnovers, 2 blocks, -1
Tuesday: Stockton Kings 112, South Bay 99 (road) Started; 32 minutes, 18 points, 6–17 FG, 2–8 3FG, 3–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 block, -12
Wednesday: Stockton Kings 110, South Bay 98 (road) Started; 12 minutes, 5 points, 1–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 1–2 FT, 1 rebound, 2 fouls, 1 turnover, -9
Next game 8 p.m. Saturday vs. Rip City Remix


Season NBA statistics — 3 games, 11 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +13
Season G League statistics — 7 games, 15.1 points, 47.7 FG%, 34.6 3P%, 60.0 FT%, 10.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.4 steals
Monday: Austin 110, (at) Mexico City Capitanes 107 — Didn’t play
Wednesday: Austin 117, (at) Mexico City Capitanes 104 Didn’t start; 27 minutes, 9 points, 3–10 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2–3 FT, 10 rebounds, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +10
Wednesday: Austin 138, (at) Texas Legends 132 Didn’t start; 34 minutes, 21 points, 9–18 FG, 3–7 3FG, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 fouls, 2 steals, 1 block, +7
Next game 8:30 Saturday at Texas Legends


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 — 6 games, 17 minutes, 18 points, 7–11 FG, 4–8 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Saturday in NBA: Pistons 124, Bucks 112 4:46, 3 points, 1–3 FG, 1–3 3FG, 1 rebound, +13
Thursday in NBA: Bucks 116, Celtics 101 1:53, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1 rebound, -3
Next game 1 p.m. Saturday vs. Grand Rapids Gold


Season statistics — 3 games, 17.7 points, 48.7 FG%, 38.9 3P%, 6–6 FT, 3.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steal
Sunday: Noblesville Boom 111, Wisconsin 109 Inactive for game
Wednesday: Wisconsin 114, Motor City Cruise 112 Didn’t play
Thursday: Noblesville Boom 118, Wisconsin 87 Didn’t start; 14 points, 5–15 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, -29
Next game 1 p.m. Saturday vs. Grand Rapids Gold


Photo via @ChicagoBulls

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