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.
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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.
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 34 | 6–7, 225 | 15th season | $8 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Backup small forward
Team record — 10–2; 2nd in Western Conference
Season statistics — 10 games, 5.5 points, 42.1 FG%, 37.9 3P%, 80.0 FT%
Wednesday — Spurs 124, Bulls 119 (road) | 3 points, 1–3 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -7, 0.6 game score
Next game — 9:30 p.m. Friday vs. Golden State
Leaky Black, Sacramento Kings forward
Age 27 | 6–6, 209 | 4th pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Season NBA statistics — 6 games, 1 start, 5.8 points, 48.0 FG%, 45.5 3P%, 1–2 FT, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals
Team record — 1–10; 14th in Western Conference
Sunday — Heat 114, Kings 108 (home) | didn’t start: 20:08, 6 points, 2–4 FG, 2–4 FT, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, +1, 8.3 game score
Tuesday — Magic 107, Kings 100 (home) | didn’t start: 18 minutes, 0 points, 0–4 FG, 0–3 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, +3, 0.2 game score
Next game — 10 p.m. Friday vs. Portland
Tony Bradley, Utah Jazz center
Age 28 | 6–10, 248 | 9th NBA season | $2.44 million salary | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string center
Team record — 1–11; 15th in Western Conference
Season statistics — 5 games, 8 points, 3–5 FG, 2–2 FT, 11 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block
Tuesday — Heat 115, Jazz 109 (home) | didn’t start: season-high 14:06 — Jazz without Jusuf Nurkic (foot injury), Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) and Lauri Markkanen (wrist), and center Jaxson Hayes got in foul trouble — 4 points, 1–1 FG, 2–2 FT, season-high 5 rebounds, 1 block, 1 foul, +17, season-high 5.5 game score
Wednesday — Magic 123, Jazz 108 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 8:30 p.m. Friday at Houston
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
Team record — 6–4; 10th in Western Conference
Season statistics — 7 games, 12.1 points, 50.0 FG%, 43.2 3P%, 5–8 FT, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Wednesday — Nuggets 123, Grizzlies 118 (road) | 23 points, 9–15 FG, 4–7 3FG, 1–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 foul, +3, 20.8 game score
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday at New Orleans
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
Team record — 11–2; 1st in Western Conference
Season statistics — 13 games, 14.5 points, 67.5 FG%, 61.4 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.2 blocks
Wednesday — Lakers 123, Bucks 112 (road) | started: 29:13, 10 points, 5–10 FG, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, +19, 11.1 game score (double-double)
Next game — 4 p.m. Sunday at Phoenix
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 21 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $3.54 million salary | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season NBA statistics — 4 games, 8 points, 3–4 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 6 assists
Team record — 3–8; 13th in Eastern Conference
Sunday — Mavericks 130, Nets 93 (road) | didn’t start: 9:25, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, -8
Wednesday — Nets 145, Pelicans 111 (road) | 6 points, 2–2 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, 1 foul, -4, 4.6 game score
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday at Memphis
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 24 | 6–10, 265 | 6th season | $10 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Moritz Wagner
Team record — 3–8; 13th in Eastern Conference
Season statistics — 11 games, 8.2 points, 52.5 FG%, 35.7 3P%, 72.4 FT%, 6.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.5 blocks
Wednesday — Nets 145, Pelicans 111 (road) | 15 points, 5–6 FG, 2–3 3FG, 3–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 4 blocks, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, +20, 18.9 game score
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday at Memphis
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 Schröder
Team record — 4–8; 10th in Eastern Conference
Season statistics — 5 games, 9.8 points, 31.5 FG%, 14.8 3P%, 11–12 FT, 2.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 3.0 turnovers
Thursday — Suns 101, Hornets 96 (road) | started: 19:56, season-high 21 points, 8–16 FG, 2–7 3FG, 3–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 turnovers, 1 foul, −2, 12.0 game score
Next game — 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Los Angeles Clippers
Out at least until early December
Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson | had surgery Nov. 12 to repair fractured right hand | season statistics: 10 games, 18.9 points, 42.0 FG%, 32.4 3P%, 73.2 FT%, 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.9 of a block
Likely out for season
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar | tore right ACL on Sept. 15
RJ Davis, Austin Spurs guard
Age 25 | 6–0, 182 | 2nd pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
G League statistics last season (South Bay Lakers) — 49 games, 18.4 points, 46.8 FG%, 42.4 3P%, 86.4 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists
Preseason NBA statistics — 3 games, 8.8 minutes, 7 points, 27.3 FG%, 1–4 3FG, 0–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Season statistics — 2 games, 20.0 points, 45.8 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 100 FT%, 1.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.5 steals
Sunday — Austin Spurs 117, Laketown Squadron 110 (home) | didn’t start: 21 points, 7–16 FG, 2–3 3FG, 3–3 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 foul, 3 steals, 1 block, +5
Next game— 4 p.m. Sunday vs. Memphis Hustle
Harrison Ingram, Salt Lake City Stars forward
Age 23 | 6–6, 230 | 3rd pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
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
Preseason NBA statistics — 4 games, 7.9 minutes, 19 points, 53.3 FG%, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Season statistics — 3 games, 17.0 points, 48.8 FG%, 3–9 3PFG, 3–10 FT, 12.3 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.7 turnovers, 2.2 steals
Tuesday — Rip City Remix 108, Salt Lake City Stars 93 (home) | started: 35 minutes, 12 points, 5–12 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1–4 FT, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 fouls, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, 1 block, -3
Wednesday — Salt Lake City Stars 123, Rip City Remix 102 (home) | started: 25 points, 10–14 FG, 3–4 3FG, 1–2 FT, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, team-high +27
Next game — 9 p.m. Monday at Valley Suns
Caleb Love, Delaware Blue Coats guard
Age 25 | 6–3, 212 | 2nd pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
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
Preseason NBA statistics — 4 games, 14.5 minutes, 5.5 points, 25.9 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 55.6 FT%, 1.0 rebound, 3.0 assists, 0.5 of a block
Season NBA statistics — 1 game, 30 seconds, no statistics
Saturday’s opener — Delaware Blue Coats 147, Capital City Go-Go 122 (home) | not active for the game
Next game — 7 p.m. Friday vs. Maine Celtics
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 26 | 6–9, 225 | 4th season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
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
Preseason NBA statistics — 4 games, 13.0 minutes, 4.0 points, 35.7 FG%, 30.0 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 3.2 rebounds
Season statistics— 2 games, 13.0 points, 52.6 FG%, 36.4 3P%, 2–2 FT, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Sunday — Wisconsin Herd 142, Iowa Wolves 130 (road) | started: 34 minutes, 14 points, 5–12 FG, 3–9 3FG, 1–1 FT, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 fouls, +16
Wednesday in NBA (season NBA debut) — Lakers 123, Bucks 112 (home) | 4:12, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, +3
Next game — 4 p.m. Sunday at Windy City Bulls
Tyler Nickel, Westchester Knicks forward
Age 23 | 6–7, 220 | rookie season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Statistics last season (Vanderbilt) — 36 games, 36 starts, 13.5 points, 44.5 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 84.7 FT%, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Preseason NBA statistics — 4 games, 21.1 minutes, 16 points, 4–18 FG, 2–14 3FG, 6–7 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Season statistics— 2 games, 11.5 points, 34.8 FG%, 35.0 3P%, 5.0reboundsm, 4.0 assists, 2.0 steals
Sunday — Maine Celtics 98, Westchester Knicks 93 (road) | started: 38 minutes, 8 points, 3–11 FG, 2–10 3FG, 5 rebounds, 4 assists 3 fouls, 3 steals, 7 turnovers, 1 block, -11
Next game — 3 p.m. Saturday vs. Greensboro Swarm, NBATV
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd guard
Age 28 | 6–5, 205 | 3rd season | $680,984 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
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
Preseason NBA statistics — 3 games, 15.9 minutes, 6.7 points, 46.2 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 57.1 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 of a steal
Season statistics— 2 games, 29.5 points, 75.9 FG%, 88.9 3FG%, 80.0 FT%, 2.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.5 turnovers, 2.0 steals
Sunday — Wisconsin Herd 142, Iowa Wolves 130 (road) | started: 30 minutes, 28 points, 10–13 FG, 1–2 3FG, 4–5 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 fouls, 3 steals, 2 turnovers, 1 block, -1
Next game — 4 p.m. Sunday at Windy City Bulls
Note that G League’s rule allows one made free throw to count for two or three points, which is why totals sometimes don’t appear to add up.
Photo via @nbagleague
