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.
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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.
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 34 | 6–7, 225 | 15th season | $8 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Reserve 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
Saturday — Suns 102, Spurs 98 (road) | didn’t start: 16:54, 6 points, 2–5 FG, 2–5 3FG, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +3
Next exhibition — 9 p.m. Monday at Utah
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock
Leaky Black, Sacramento Kings guard
Age 27 | 6–6, 209 | 4th season | $2.45 million salary | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
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
Thursday — Lakers 114, Kings 110 (road) | didn’t start: 10:45, 4 points, 2–2 FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, -3
Saturday — Warriors 111, Kings 106 (road) | didn’t start: 17:21, 9 points, 3–4 FG, 3–3 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -1
Next exhibition — 10 p.m. Tuesday vs. Portland
Season opener — 10:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Los Angeles Clippers
Tony Bradley, New York Knicks center
Age 28 | 6–10, 248 | 8th pro season | Exhibit 9 contract | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Final statistics last season — 41 games, 4.0 points, 54.7 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Preseason opener — 76ers 120, Knicks 97 (Monday) | didn’t start: 6:05, 2 points, 1–1 FG, -2
Thursday — Wizards 111, Knicks 109 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next exhibition — 7:30 Monday vs. Minnesota, NBATV
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Philadelphia, NBC
RJ Davis, San Antonio Spurs guard
Age 24 (turns 25 Oct. 21) | 6–0, 182 | second season | $1.35 million salary | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season (South Bay) — 49 games, 18.4 points, 46.8 FG%, 42.4 3P%, 86.4 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists
Saturday — Suns 102, Spurs 98 (road) | didn’t start: 4:20, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2 turnovers, -3
Next exhibition — 9 p.m. Monday at Utah
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock
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 — 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
Team record last season: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Tuesday — Nuggets 117, Jazz 106 (home) | didn’t start: 7:35, 7 points, 3–5 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, +5
Next exhibition — 9 p.m. Monday vs. San Antonio
Season opener — 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Phoenix
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
Tuesday — Nuggets 117, Jazz 106 | started: 15:20, 10 points, 4–7 FG, 2–3 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 fouls, +6
Next exhibition — 9 p.m. Sunday vs. Chicago, ESPN
Season opener — 9:30 Thursday, Oct. 22, 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
Thursday — Lakers 114, Kings 110 (home) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision; jammed finger)
Next exhibition — 10 p.m. Tuesday vs. Golden State, NBATV
Season opener — 10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Golden State, ESPN
Caleb Love, Philadelphia 76ers guard
Age 25 | 6–3, 212 | 2nd season | $678,882 salary | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
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
Thursday — Nets 114, 76ers 108 (road) | didn’t start: 13:34, 4 points, 2–5 FG, 0–3 3FG, 5 assists, 2 fouls, +2
Saturday — Celtics 144, 76ers 106 (road) | didn’t start: 14:15, 3 points, 1–7 FG, 0–4 3FG, 1–3 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -15
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Friday vs. Boston, NBATV
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at New York, NBC
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | $2.76 million salary | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
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
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday — Bucks 128, Thunder 126 | didn’t start: 12:35, 6 points, 2–5 FG, 2–4 3FG, 5 rebounds, 1 turnovers, 2 fouls, +4
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Sunday at Charlotte
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Washington
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 21 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $3.54 million salary | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
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
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Thursday — Nets 114, Sixers 108 (home) | didn’t start: 14:26, 4 points, 1–4 FG, 0–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, +3
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Monday at Washington
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Charlotte
Cormac Ryan, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $680,985 salary | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
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
Wednesday’s exhibition — Bucks 128, Thunder 126 | didn’t start: 11:12, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnovers, 4 fouls, +9
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Sunday at Charlotte
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Washington
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 25 | 6–10, 265 | 6th season | $10 million salary | UNC 2020–22 (1 season)
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
Thursday — Nets 114, Sixers 108 (home) | didn’t play (left shoulder soreness)
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Monday at Washington
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, 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
Will miss preseason after suffering a left calf strain during training camp
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, 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
Friday — Grizzlies 104, Bulls 100 (home) | started: 31:37, 21 points, 7–17 FG, 5–11 3FG, 2–6 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 3 fouls, -18
Next exhibition — 9 p.m. Sunday at Denver, ESPN
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Toronto
Likely out for season
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept.15)
Photo @TexasLegends
