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.)

Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 34 | 6–7, 225 | 15th season | $8 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)

Roster situation — Backup small 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 statistics — 5 games, 18.0 minutes, 8.4 points, 34.6 FG%, 36.6 3P%, 88.9 FT%, 1.4 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist, 0.8 of a steal
Wednesday — Spurs 123, Suns 103 (home) | didn’t start: 20:21, 7 points, 1–5 FG, 1–4 3FG, 4–4 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 steals, +4
Friday — Spurs 126, Kings 97 (home) | didn’t start: 13:05, 3 points, 1–3 FG, 1–3 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 foul, -1
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock


Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot, to earn Kings’ final two-way contract
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 statistics — 3 games, 19.9 minutes, 7.7 points, 53.8 FG%, 62.5 3P%, 4–4 FT, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 of an assist, 1.3 steals
Friday — Spurs 126, Kings 97 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Season opener — 10:30 Wednesday at Los Angeles Clippers


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 — Third-string forward 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
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 7.9 minutes, 19 points, 53.3 FG%, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Friday — Jazz 119, Suns 116 (road) | didn’t start: 3:26, 2 points, 1–1 FG, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, +1
Season opener — 8 p.m. Wednesday at Memphis


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 statistics — 5 games, 18.3 minutes, 10.0 points, 55.9 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 2.2 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist
Wednesday — Clippers 122, Nuggets 110 (road) | started: 12:58, 5 points, 2–5 FG, 1–4 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, +3
Friday — Nuggets 121, Lakers 106 (road) | started: 23:10, 12 points, 5–8 FG, 2–4 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +/- of 0
Season opener — 9:30 Thursday 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 statistics — 2 games, 23.4 minutes, 8.5 points, 42.9 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 83.3 FT%, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.5 blocks
Friday — Nuggets 121, Lakers 106 (home) | started: 30:56, 6 points, 2–8 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -21
Season opener — 10 p.m. Wednesday vs. Golden State, ESPN


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 statistics — 4 games, 14.5 minutes, 5.5 points, 25.9 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 55.6 FT%, 1.0 rebound, 3.0 assists, 0.5 of a block
Friday — Celtics 125, Sixers 120, OT (home) | didn’t start | 6:37, 0 points, 0–5 FG, 0–2 3FG, 0–1 FT, -9
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday at New York, NBC


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
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 13.0 minutes, 4.0 points, 35.7 FG%, 30 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 3.2 rebounds
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday — Bulls 125, Bucks 104 (home) | started: 25:50, 4 points, 1–6 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -17
Friday — Bucks 128, Pacers 127, OT (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday at Washington


Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot
Statistics last season (Vanderbilt) — 36 games, 36 starts, 13.5 points, 44.5 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 84.7 FG%, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 38.8 minutes, 16 points, 4–18 FG, 2–14 3FG, 6–7 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Thursday — Knicks 122, Raptors 120 | didn’t start: 4:07, 2 points, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 foul, -1
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. Philadelphia, NBC


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
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 10.8 minutes, 4.0 points, 43.5 FG%, 45.5 3P%, 2–2 FT, 1.1 rebounds
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday — Heat 144, Nets 128 (road) | didn’t start; 5:41, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 1 foul, +/- of 0
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday vs. Charlotte


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 statistics — 3 games, 15.9 minutes, 6.7 points, 46.2 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 57.1 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 of a steal
Wednesday — Bulls 125, Bucks 104 (home) | didn’t start: 26:07, 14 points, 4–9 FG, 3–7 3FG, 3–5 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 4 fouls, -20
Friday — Bucks 128, Pacers 127, OT (road) | didn’t start: 10:18, 4 points, 1–1 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, +/- of 0
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday at Washington


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 statistics — 3 games, 18.8 minutes, 7.7 points, 55.6 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 25.0 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.3 blocks
Wednesday — Heat 144, Nets 128 (road) | started: 17:26, 11 points, 5–8 FG, 1–3 3FG, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 5 fouls, -4
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday 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
Missed preseason after suffering a left calf strain during training camp
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday 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 statistics — 5 games, 26.5 minutes, 15.8 points, 44.1 FG%, 31.0 3P%, 55.6 FT%, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.6 of a steal
Wednesday — Bulls 125, Bucks 104 (road) | started: 24:04, 10 points, 4–11 FG, 1–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 4 fouls, +14
Friday — Bulls 133, Timberwolves 116 (home) | started: 22:34, 16 points, 7–15 FG, 2–5 3FG, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +12
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday at Toronto


Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept.15)

Center Tony Bradley by New York (preseason statistics: 3 games, 7.5 minutes, 5.3 points, 80.0 FG%, 0–1 FT, 1.7 rebounds)
Guard RJ Davis by San Antonio (preseason statistics: 3 games, 8.8 minutes, 7 points, 27.3 FG%, 1–4 3FG, 0–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block)

Photo via @ChicagoBulls

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