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 — Backup point guard behind Kevin Porter
Season statistics — 25 games, 6.9 points, 43.5 FG%, 27.5 3P%, 59.1 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Team record: 11–17, 11th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Nets 127, Bucks 82 — Didn’t start; 20:11, 2 points, 0–4 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 4 fouls, -27
Thursday: Nets 127, Bucks 82 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7 p.m. Sunday at Minnesota
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 — 26 games, 12.8 points, 46.6 FG%, 39.9 3P%, 86.0 FT%, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Team record: 19–7, 4th in Western Conference
Saturday in NBA Cup West final: Spurs 111, Thunder 109 — Started; 27:03, 6 points, 2–10 FG, 0–8 3FG, 2–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +15
Tuesday in NBA Cup championship game: Knicks 124, Spurs 113 — Started; 23:28, 11 points, 4–9 FG, 0–4 3FG, 3–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, +4
Thursday: Spurs 119, Wizards 94 — Started; 18:14, 2 points, 0–6 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 2 assists, +15
Next game — 7:30 Friday at Atlanta
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 — 23 games, 4.7 points, 56.8 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 74.2 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Team record: 6–21, 14th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Wizards 108, Pacers 89 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Thursday: Knicks 114, Pacers 113 — 3:36, 2 points, 0–2 FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 foul, +/- of 0; left game with right thumb pain
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday at New Orleans
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 — 25 games, 11.7 points, 46.6 FG%, 39.5 3P%, 80.0 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 20–6, 2nd in Western Conference
Monday: Nuggets 128, Rockets 125 — Started; 43:03, 13 points, 5–9 FG, 2–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, +8
Thursday: Nuggets 126, Magic 115 — Started; 35:41, 19 points, 6–9 FG, 3–5 3FG, 4–4 FT, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 2 fouls, team-high +27
Next game — 5 p.m. Saturday vs. Houston, 5 p.m.
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 — 19 games, 7.9 points, 33.7 FG%, 26.3 3P%, 80.0 FT%, 2.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 11–16, 10th in Western Conference
Sunday: Blazers 136, Warriors 131 — Didn’t start; 12:00, 8 points, 3–6 FG, 2–2 3FG, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -9
Thursday: Blazers 134, Kings 133, OT — Didn’t start; 8:39, 5 points, 2–7 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 fouls, +7
Next game — 10 p.m. Saturday at Sacramento
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 20 | 6–5, 195 | Rookie season | 4-year NBA rookie contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup 2 guard behind Terance Mann
Season statistics — 19 games, 6.0 points, 48.8 FG%, 37.8 3FG%, 95.2 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Team record: 7–19, 13th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Nets 127, Bucks 82 — 23:20, 13 points, 4–7 FG, 2–4 3FG, 3–3 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, team-high +31
Thursday: Heat 106, Nets 95 — 3:56, 3 rebounds, -1; left early with third right ankle sprain of the season.
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Toronto
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 — 25 games, 7.0 points, 59.3 FG%, 25.0 3P%, 63.1 FT%, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Team record: 7–19, 13th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Nets 127, Bucks 82 — 16:52, 10 points, 4–6 FG, 2–2 FT, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 2 fouls, +14
Thursday: Heat 106, Nets 95 — 13:13, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 0–2 3FG, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +1
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Toronto
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 — 10 games, 22.0 points, 44.5 FG%, 29.2 3PFG, 81.3 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists
Team record: 11–15, 10th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Pelicans 114, Bulls 104 — Started; 28:28, 20 points, 8–18 FG, 1–10 3FG, 3–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, -10
Wednesday: Bulls 127, Cavaliers 111 — Started; 30:22, 25 points, 8–13 FG, 3–5 3FG, 6–7 FT, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, -1
Next game — 7:30 Friday at Cleveland
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 — 14 games, 10.7 points, 43.5 FG%, 21.6 3P%, 73.3 FT%, 6.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.1 steals
Team record: 8–8, 6th in East Division
Sunday: Capital City 127, Delaware Blue Coats 107 — Started; 27 minutes, 15 points, 7–11 FG, 1–3 3FG, 0–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 fouls, 1 steal, +4
Tuesday: Delaware Blue Coats 120, Capital City 110 — Started; 37 minutes, 11 points, 5–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 fouls, 2 turnovers, -2
Next game — 3:30 Saturday vs. Oklahoma City Blue in Orlando, Fla., ESPN News
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 12 games, 5.5 points, 45.8 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.6 of a block
Team record: 10–6, 3rd in East Division
Sunday: Rio Grande Valley Vipers 133, Birmingham 127 — Didn’t start; 25 minutes, 8 points, 4–4 FG, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 2 blocks, +12
Tuesday: Birmingham 142, Rio Grande Valley Vipers 111 — Didn’t start; 19 minutes, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls, 2 turnovers, +7
Next game — 7:30 Saturday at Iowa Wolves in Orlando, Fla., Roku Sports Channel
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 13 games, 18.8 points, 43.0 FG%, 35.4 3P%, 89.2 FT%, 3.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.8 of a steals
Team record: 8–8, 5th in West Division
Saturday: Rip City Remix 122, South Bay 116 — Inactive for game
Tuesday: South Bay 127, San Diego Clippers 118 — Didn’t start; 20 minutes, 4 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 assists, 1 foul, 2 turnovers, -2
Next game — noon Saturday vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce in Orlando, Fla., NBATV
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 — 8 games, 16.3 points, 51.1 FG%, 38.7 3P%, 58.8 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals
Team record: 8–8, 5th in South Division
Saturday: (at) Texas Legends 126, Austin 122 — Didn’t start; 35 minutes, 24 points, 10–13 FG, 3–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 blocks, +1
Next game — noon Friday vs. Stockton Kings in Orlando, Fla., in the quarterfinals of the Winter Showcase Cup, ESPNU
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
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 — 7 games, 37 minutes, 18 points, 7–14 FG, 4–9 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Team record: 5–11, 8th in Central Division
Sunday in NBA: Nets 127, Bucks 82 — 9:24; 0–3 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, -13
Tuesday: Iowa Wolves 110, Wisconsin 108 — Inactive for game
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. South Bay Lakers in Orlando, Fla., ESPNU
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 6 games, 16.0 points, 47.9 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 13–13 FT, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Team record: 5–11, 8th in Central Division
Saturday: Grand Rapids Gold 107, Wisconsin 103 — Didn’t play; 23 minutes, 16 points, 7–11 FG, 2–5 3FG, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 1 block, -5
Sunday: Wisconsin 107, Iowa Wolves 102 — Didn’t start; 24 minutes, 13 points, 3–10 FG, 1–6 3FG, 5–5 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls, 3 turnovers, +11
Tuesday: Iowa Wolves 110, Wisconsin 108 — Didn’t start; 23 minutes, 14 points, 5–11 FG, 2–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 fouls, 1 block, +3
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. South Bay Lakers in Orlando, Fla., ESPNU
Photo @TexasLegends
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