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, Phoenix Suns guard
Age 25 | 6–2, 185 | 6th season | $2.67 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
Roster situation — Uncertain
Season statistics — 35 games, 6.7 points, 42.4 FG%, 30.6 3P%, 61.5 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Team record: 31–21, 7th in Western Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 win with Milwaukee vs. Chicago — 12:14, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +12
Wednesday: 141–137 OT win with Milwaukee vs. New Orleans — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Wednesday: 101–97 loss with Phoenix vs. Golden State — Not yet with team
Next game — 9 p.m. Saturday vs. Philadelphia
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 — 51 games, 10.6 points, 43.9 FG%, 37.2 3P%, 85.7 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 35–16, 2nd in Western Conference
Wednesday: 116–106 win vs. Oklahoma City —Didn’t start; 29:33, 9 points, 3–9 FG, 2–7 3FG, 1–2 FT, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, +/- of 0
Thursday: 135–123 win at Dallas — Started; 34:23, 19 points (most points since scoring 20 on Dec. 23 against Oklahoma City), 5–7 FG, 5–7 3FG, 4–4 FT, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, +8
Next game — 6 p.m. Saturday vs. Dallas, 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: 13–39, 15th in Eastern Conference
Last 10-day contract expired; could return to Pacers later
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: 33–19, 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 (limited to 50 under his two-way contract), 11.1 points, 39.1 FG%, 32.1 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists
Team record: 24–28, 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
Friday: 135–115 win vs. Memphis — Not active for game
Next game — 10 p.m. Saturday 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 — 20 games, 5.0 points, 59.7 FG%, 51.4 3P%, 2.0 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Team record: 21–29, 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
Wednesday: 141–137 OT win vs. New Orleans — 18:49; 16 points, 6–9 FG, 4–7 3FG, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, +4
Friday: 105–99 win vs. Indiana — 18:01, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, -4
Next game — 7:30 Monday at Orlando, Peacock
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: 13–37, 14th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 125–109 loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers — Didn’t start; 3:42, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -6
Thursday: 118–98 loss at Orlando — Didn’t start; 18:59, 6 points, 3–9 FG, 0–4 3FG, 0–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -2
Next game — 3 p.m. Saturday vs. Washington
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 — 48 games, 8.1 points, 60.8 FG%, 22.6 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 6.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 13–37, 14th 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
Thursday: 118–98 loss at Orlando — Didn’t start; 13:10, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, -6
Next game — 3 p.m. Saturday vs. Washington
Coby White, Charlotte Hornets 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: 23–28, 11th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 loss with Chicago 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
Thursday: 109–99 win with Charlotte at Houston — Didn’t play
Next game — 7:30 Saturday at Atlanta
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
Wednesday: 124–111 loss vs. South Bay Lakers — Started; 33 minutes, 17 points 5–8 FG, 5–7 3FG, 1–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 5 fouls, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -6
Next game — 11 a.m. Friday vs. South Bay Lakers
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
Wednesday: 124–111 win at Capital City Go-Go — Started; 31 minutes, 25 points, 9–15 FG, 3–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 fouls, 2 turnovers, +7
Next game — 11 a.m. Friday at Capital City Go-Go
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
Wednesday: 104–95 win vs. Texas Legends — Started; 37 minutes, 8 points, 3–12 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1–2 FT, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 fouls, 5 turnovers, +16
Next game — 9 p.m. Saturday at Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Prime Video
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 24 games, 20.0 points, 49.3 FG%, 41.6 3P%, 91.1 FT%, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals
Thursday: 105–103 loss at Delaware Blue Coats — Started; 30 minutes, 23 points, 8–14 FG, 4–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, -1
Next game — 6 p.m. Saturday at Delaware Blue Coats
Photo via @nbagleague
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