By R.L. Bynum
Cameron Johnson led six UNC alums scoring in double figures Saturday night with 18 points and was part of Brooklyn inflicting dubious NBA history on the Detroit Pistons, with the Nets having a chance to add to that.
Day’Ron Sharpe added 11 points in the Nets’ 126–115 victory. The Pistons tied the NBA record with their 26th consecutive loss as Brooklyn ended a five-game losing streak.
The Pistons, who would break the record with another loss to Brooklyn in Detroit on Tuesday, matched the Philadelphia 76ers’ skid from the end of the 2014–15 season to the beginning of the 2015–16 season.
Detroit put up a fight, taking a two-point lead after putting together a 12–4 third-quarter run. But Johnson ended the run with a layup, then assisted on a Nic Claxton dunk.
“You gotta be able to weather those storms and be able to fight back,” said Johnson, averaging 18.3 points while shooting 60.6% from the floor and making 52.9% of his 3-point attempts in the last three games. “The bench came in and did a fantastic job of giving that buffer.”
It was a strange situation for Johnson because Detroit’s first-year coach is Monty Williams, his former coach in Phoenix, who the Suns fired after last season.
“I told them, some of the young guys on the team after the game, that sometimes you got to lose before you can win, sometimes you got to fall before you crawl, walk before you can run,” said Johnson, adding that he thinks Williams can build a contender.
Detroit is the third team to start 2–28 after Cleveland in 2010–11 and Philadelphia in 2013–14,
Johnson was 6 of 10 from the floor with two 3-pointers, two rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Nets (14–15) for a 15.2 game score. Sharpe was 5 of 6 from the floor with three rebounds, an assist and a block.
For only the second time in the last nine games, Coby White failed to score 20 points. For the third time all season, he didn’t score a 3-pointer.
It all added up to a 109–95 Chicago home loss to Cleveland in the Bulls’ second game in as many nights. White had 17 points, four rebounds, and seven assists on 8 of 19 shooting while missing all eight 3-point attempts to end the Bulls’ three-game win streak.
It’s still been a fantastic December for White, who is averaging 23.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists for the month.
Cole Anthony had 12 points, six rebounds and three assists as Orlando won at Indiana 117–110 to snap a four-game losing streak. The Magic (17–11) are 1–4 on a road trip that concludes Tuesday in Washington.
Harrison Barnes contributed 12 points and three rebounds, but host Sacramento lost 110–98 to Minnesota. Barnes missed both 3-point attempts as the Kings scored a season-low eight 3-pointers on 33 attempts.
In Utah’s 126–119 victory at Toronto, Walker Kessler collected 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
Neither Charlotte’s Leaky Black (coach’s decision) nor Houston’s Reggie Bullock (illness) played in their teams’ games Saturday night.
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 — 35 games, 6.7 points, 42.4 FG%, 30.6 3P%, 61.5 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Team record: 19–29, 12th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 win vs. Chicago — 12:14, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +12
Next game — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. New Orleans
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 — 49 games, 10.5 points, 43.7 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 85.9 FT%, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 33–16, 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
Saturday: 111–106 loss at Charlotte —Didn’t start; 24:48, 11 points, 3–6 FG, 3–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +4
Sunday: 111–106 loss at Charlotte —Started; 7 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2–4 FT, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +10
Next game — 9:30 Wednesday vs. Oklahoma City, ESPN
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: 13–38, 15th in Eastern Conference
Last 10-day contract expires; could return to Pacers after trade deadline
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: 33–18, 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 — 43 games, 11.1 points, 39.1 FG%, 32.1 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists
Team record: 23–28, 10th in Western Conference
Tuesday: 130–125 loss vs. Phoenix — Didn’t start; 8:20, 0 points, 0–2 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 turnover, -2
Next game — 10 p.m. Friday vs. Memphis
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks 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 — 18 games, 4.3 points, 58.2 FG%, 48.3 3P%, 2.0 rebounds, 0.4 of an assist
Team record: 19–29, 12th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 win vs. Chicago — 27:14, season-high 15 points, 6–8 FG, 3–5 3FG, season-high 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, +19
Next game — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. New Orleans
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 — 38 games, 6.1 points, 44.2 FG%, 30.8 3FG%, 91.3 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Team record: 13–36, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 125–109 loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers — Didn’t start; 3:42, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -6
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday at Orlando
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 — 47 games, 8.2 points, 61.0 FG%, 22.6 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 6.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Team record: 13–36, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 125–109 loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers — Didn’t start; 25:43, 19 points, 9–12 FG,1–1 FT, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 1 turnovers, 4 fouls, +14; third double-double of season
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday at Orlando
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 — 29 games, 18.6 points, 43.8 FG%, 34.6 3PFG, 80.5 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists
Team record: 24–27, 10th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 loss at Milwaukee — Started; 30:20, 21 points, 7–17 FG, 2–8 3FG, 5–7 FT, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, -15
Next game — 7:30 Thursday at Toronto, Prime Video
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 — 29 games, 10.8 points, 46.4 FG%, 36.2 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.0 steals
Friday: 124–99 loss vs. Wisconsin Herd — Started; 31 minutes, 6 points, 2–7 FG, 2–4 3FG, 9 rebounds, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -18
Saturday: 110–98 win vs. Wisconsin Herd — Started; 38 minutes, 9 points, 4–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 10 rebounds, 4 assist, 3 steals, 1 block, +16
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. South Bay Lakers, ESPN+
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, Friday: 124–111 loss at Noblesville Boom and Sunday: 125–109 loss at Noblesville Boom— Inactive for all three games
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday at Capital City Go-Go
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 29 games, 19.3 points, 44.6 FG%, 40.9 3P%, 87.3 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Monday: 137–133 loss at Osceola Magic — Started; 31 minutes, 17 points, 6–15 FG, 2–6 3FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 5 turnovers, -6
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday at Capital City Go-Go, 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 — 21 games, 14.6 points, 47.4 FG%, 29.6 3P%, 60.0 FT%, 11.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Thursday: 119–115 loss vs. Stockton Kings — Started; 30 minutes, 15 points, 5–14 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3–5 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 turnover, -5
Next game — 11:30 a.m. Wednesday vs. Texas Legends
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 23 games, 19.1 points, 49.1 FG%, 40.7 3P%, 90.7 FT%, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals
Friday: 124–99 win at Capital City Go-Go — Started; 31 minutes, 22 points, 9–15 FG, 4–8 3FG, 0–1 FT, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, +11
Saturday: 110–98 loss at Capital City Go-Go — Started; 31 minutes, 16 points, 6–17 FG, 4–11 3FG, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -2
Next game — 11 a.m. Thursday at Delaware Blue Coats
Photo via YouTube video screengrab
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