By R.L. Bynum
Harrison Barnes had his best game in a month, and Day’Ron Sharpe put up his fourth double-double in his best game of the season Friday, when three members of UNC’s 2017 national championship team started and were a big part of a Texas Legends win in the G League.
Barnes scored 19 points and four 3-pointers as Sacramento rolled to a 120–105 home victory over short-handed Phoenix for the Kings’ sixth win in the last eight games.
Barnes put up a 15.8 game score, his best since a 16.2 on a 22-point, four 3-pointer night Nov. 22 in a loss at New Orleans. Teammate Domantas Sabonis was even better with 28 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds for his fourth triple-double of the season.
“We see the work that he puts in,” Barnes said about Sabonis. “It’s a testament to his commitment.”
Barnes has scored in double figures in the last four games, averaging 16 points, shooting 59.5% from the floor, and making 57.9% of his 3-point attempts.
Barnes’ 3-pointer was the last of 11 consecutive made Kings shots to start the second half. De’Aaron Fox’s assist on that score broke the Sacramento assists record at 2,581.
Sacramento rebounded from a 144–119 loss to Boston on Wednesday night.
“We’ve had some good wins, followed by sometimes some ugly losses,” said Barnes, who had two steals and a block. “I think for us, it’s just trying to find that consistency. I think we’re still working toward that; we’re still trying to grow in our maturity in terms of just approaching every game the right way. And even if we’re going to lose a game, I think it’s losing on our style of play. So, it was good to see us getting back to how we play.”
Sacramento held the Suns to 5 of 25 shooting from 3-point range.
“Just trying to get them off the line, trying to make them work for shots,” Barnes said. “They’re still gonna make shots and do what they do. But how can we just eliminate one or two possessions here or there, and each guy trying to take it upon themselves to try to make them work just a little bit more and ultimately came out to do a great defensive effort from the 3-point line tonight?”
The Suns, who have lost four of their last five games, played without guard Bradley Beal (ankle injury), forward Josh Okogie (hip strain) and center Jusuf Nurkic (personal reasons).
Nassir Little played 16 minutes off the bench for Phoenix with six points and a steal after starting the previous two games.
Sharpe had 13 points on 5 of 8 shooting with 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks for a season-high 18.6 game score in Brooklyn’s 122–117 home loss to reigning NBA champion Denver.
“I thought his decision-making was really good tonight whether he got an offensive rebound and decided to put it back, or sometimes just getting the possession for us,” Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said of Sharpe.
It was the second-best game score of Sharpe’s career, topped only by the 21.9 last season on March 21 when he had 20 points and 11 rebounds in a home loss to Cleveland.
Sharpe’s four double-doubles this season come after combining for four in his first two seasons. He’s tied for the league lead in double-doubles off the bench with Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis.
Cameron Johnson only took nine shots, but made six, including three 3-pointers, and finished with 14 points and two assists for a 13.6 game score.
Reggie Bullock wasn’t available for Houston’s 122–96 home win over Dallas because of an illness.
In the G League Friday night, Pete Nance put up a double-double with 15 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in the Cleveland Charge’s 121–103 loss to the Oklahoma City Blue in Orlando at the Winter Showcase. In 16 games, he’s shooting 51.3% from the floor and 34% from 3-point range.
In the Texas’ 121–103 win over Wisconsin in Orlando, three Legends starters were members of UNC’s 2017 national championship team — Justin Jackson, Tony Bradley and Theo Pinson.
Jackson scored 19 points and four 3-pointers, Bradley had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds to go with three assists, and Pinson collected 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
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 — 33 games, 7.0 points, 44.6 FG%, 32.8 3P%, 61.5 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Team record: 18–27, 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 asisst, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -17
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday at Washington, Prime Video
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 — 46 games, 10.6 points, 43.6 FG%, 36.0 3P%, 87.3 FT%, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 32–15, 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
Next game — 3 p.m. Saturday at Charlotte, Prime Video
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 — 38 games, 4.0 points, 55.7 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Team record: 12–36, 14th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: 113–110 win vs. Chicago — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday vs. Atlanta
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: 31–16, 3rd in Western Conference
Out for at least a month with a bone bruise and hyperextended right knee
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 — 39 games, 11.3 points, 39.3 FG%, 32.8 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Team record: 23–24, 9th in Western Conference
Thursday: Blazers 127, Heat 110 — Didn’t start; 33:30, 20 points, 8–19 FG, 4–12 3FG, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, +15
Friday: Raptors 110, Blazers 98 — Didn’t start; 28:41, 11 points, 4–9 FG, 3–6 3FG, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, -1
Monday: (at) Celtics 102, Blazer 94 — Didn’t start; 25:45, 11 points, 5–14 FG, 1–7 3FG, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 turnovers, -1
Next game — 7:30 Friday at New York
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 20 | 6–5, 195 | Rookie season | 4-year NBA rookie contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting shooting guard
Season statistics — 34 games, 6.1 points, 44.0 FG%, 30.6 3FG%, 89.7 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 of a steal
Team record: 12–33, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 106–102 loss at Phoenix — Started; 8:28, 1 turnover, -9
Next game — 9 p.m. Thursday at Denver
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 — 43 games, 7.8 points, 60.3 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 67.3 FT%, 6.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Team record: 12–33, 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
Next game — 9 p.m. Thursday at Denver
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 — 26 games, 18.8 points, 45.2 FG%, 36.6 3PFG, 79.8 FT%, 3.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists
Team record: 23–24, 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
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Miami
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 — 27 games, 11.1 points, 46.2 FG%, 35.1 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.0 steals
Thursday: (at) Austin Spurs 110, Capital City 103 — Started; 37 minutes, 15 points, 6–11 FG, 3–7 3FG, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 fouls, 2 blocks, -4
Friday: Capital City 112, (at) Austin Spurs 96 — Started; 36 minutes, 10 points, 4–11 FG, 2–5 3FG, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 1 block, +24
Next game — 8 p.m. Friday vs. Wisconsin Herd
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
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 — Inactive for game
Next game — 7 p.m. Friday at Noblesville Boom
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 26 games, 18.0 points, 43.0 FG%, 38.6 3P%, 87.3 FT%, 4.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 0.8 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
Next game — 10 p.m. Thursday vs. Salt Lake City Stars, ESPN+
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 — 20 games, 14.6 points, 48.1 FG%, 30.0 3P%, 60.0 FT%, 11.8 rebounds, 4.2 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
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Stockton Kings, ESPN+
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
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 — 15 games, 2.9 points, 54.8 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 1.2 rebounds, 0.3 of an assist
Tuesday in NBA with Bucks: 139–122 loss at Philadelphia — 2:23, 2 points, 1–2 FG, -3
Next game — 2 p.m. Friday at Capital City Go-Go
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 21 games, 20.0 points, 49.5 FG%, 40.4 3P%, 92.5 FT%, 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals
Thursday: Noblesville Boom 95, Wisconsin 90 — Started; 31 minutes, 23 points, 9–12 FG, 5–8 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, -2
Saturday: Noblesville Boom 117, Wisconsin 115 — Started; 37 minutes, 25 points, 8–13 FG, 3–5 3FG, 3–3 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 6 turnovers, -17
Next game — 2 p.m. Friday at Capital City Go-Go
Photo @TexasLegends
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