By R.L. Bynum
Three teammates on Carolina’s 2017 national championship team — Tony Bradley, Justin Jackson and Theo Pinson — keep putting up big numbers in the G League for the Texas Legends.
All three started and produced double-doubles on Saturday night as the host Legends won their second consecutive game with a 121–110 victory over the South Bay Lakers. Texas is off to a 2–1 start in the regular season after finishing 6–10 in the Showcase Cup.
Pinson scored 17 points and tied his career-high with 15 assists while pulling down five rebounds and blocking a shot Saturday after collecting 14 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block in Thursday’s 112–111 win at Mexico City.
Pinson made a nice pass to Bradley for a dunk late in the first half.
In 27 minutes Saturday, Bradley collected 26 points on 12 of 16 shooting. He pulled down 15 rebounds and tied his career-high with five assists after putting up 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists on Thursday.
Jackson had 20 points, four 3-pointers, 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals in Saturday’s victory after contributing 23 points, five 3-pointers and five assists in Thursday’s win.
Pinson revealed during the below interview that his “hidden talent” is beating Jackson in Madden.
On Thursday, Coby White scored 16 points, including a long-distance 3-pointer at the end of a shot clock, in Chicago’s 120–114 home loss to Indiana.
His 3-pointer from halfway between the arc and half court with 8:19 left in the game gave the Bulls a 91–90 lead.
Saturday, White had 20 points, eight rebounds and two assists in the Bulls’ 105–92 home win over Philadelphia, which played without Joel Embiid (right ankle injury). He continues to go through a bit of a shooting slump, as he is 12 of 34 from the floor and 3 of 11 from 3-point range in the last two games.
Chicago (15–19) went 9–5 in December after starting the season 4–14.
“The season didn’t start how we wanted it to start,” White said. “Everybody’s ready to contribute when the opportunity presents itself.”
Cameron Johnson returned to the Brooklyn lineup for the Nets’ 110–104 Friday loss at Washington after resting because of a right knee strain in the previous game. He had 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Day’Ron Sharpe, who contributed 10 points, nine rebounds and three assists, didn’t let losing one of his shoes deter him from making a play in the first half.
Walker Kessler contributed 11 points, four rebounds, two steals and a block in Utah’s 112–105 Thursday loss at New Orleans. He had 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in Saturday’s 117–109 home win over Miami.
Cole Anthony had nine points, five assists and two steals in Orlando’s 117–108 Friday home win over New York.
Harrison Barnes got benched in favor of Chris Duarte in Sacramento’s 117–110 Friday win at Atlanta, playing only 12 minutes and scoring only two points. In 25 minutes, though, Duarte only scored five points.
Reggie Bullock didn’t play (coach’s decision) in Houston’s 131–127 Friday home loss to Philadelphia. Bullock missed two December games because of an illness but hasn’t gotten off the bench in five of the last six games in which he was active.
Nassir Little missed Phoenix’s 133–119 Friday home win over Charlotte with left knee soreness.
The Cleveland Charge’s Pete Nance and the Greensboro Swarm’s Leaky Black have missed their last two G League games because of illness.
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 via @nbagleague
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