Tar Heels in pros: Pinson (15 assists), Bradley and Jackson put up double-doubles in win for G League Legends; White nets 20 in Bulls win

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 22 games, 7.2 points, 42.5 FG%, 25.5 3P%, 55.0 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists
Saturday: Bucks 116, Nets 99 Didn’t start; 4:55, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, -2
Monday: Wizards 129, Bucks 126 Didn’t start; 4:54, 0 points, +/- of 0
Wednesday: Wizards 129, Bucks 126 Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Friday: 76ers 116, Bucks 101 Didn’t start; 0:50, 1 assist, +2
Next game 6:30 Saturday at Detroit


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 Jeremy Sochan
Season statistics 21 games, 13.2 points, 48.7 FG%, 42.7 3P%, 87.4 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Sunday: Timberwolves 125, Spurs 112 — Started; 28:38, 5 points, 2–9 FG, 1–4 3FG, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -6
Tuesday: Spurs 126, Grizzlies 119 — Started; 35:46, 31 points, 10–20 FG, 7–12 3FG, 4–5 FT, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +9
Wednesday: Spurs 114, Magic 112 — Started; 28:39, 7 points, 3–7 FG, 1–3 3FG, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -13
Next game 8 p.m. Monday at New Orleans


Roster situation Third-string center behind Isaiah Jackson and Jay Huff
Season statistics 21 games, 4.9 points, 58.6 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 72.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Saturday: Pacers 103, Bulls 101 Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Monday: Cavaliers 135, Pacers 119 Didn’t start; 6:44, 6 points, 3–6 FG, 1 rebound, +2
Wednesday: Nuggets 135, Pacers 120 Didn’t start; 13:37, 7 points, 1–2 FG, 5–6 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -10
Friday: Pacers 120, Bulls 105 Didn’t start; 1:14, 2 points, 1–1 FT, 1 rebound, +/- of 0
Next game 7 p.m. Monday vs. Sacramento


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 Bruce Brown
Season statistics 21 games, 11.3 points, 45.9 FG%, 40.4 3P%, 80.5 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Saturday: Nuggets 130, Suns 112 Started; 34:59, 15 points, 5–9 FG, 3–6 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, +11
Monday: Mavericks 131, Nuggets 121 Started; 36:19, 10 points, 3–10 FG, 1–6 3FG, 3–4 FT, 1 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnovers, 2 fouls -14
Wednesday: Nuggets 135, Pacers 120 Started; 33:42, 9 points, 3–7 FG, 2–3 3FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, +16
Wednesday: Nuggets 134, Hawks 133 Started; 34:44, 16 points, 6–14 FG, 4–9 3FG, 0–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, +15
Next game 6 p.m. Sunday at Charlotte


Season statistics — 15 games, 8.3 points, 32.8 FG%, 27.4 3P%, 78.6 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Sunday: Thunder 123, Blazers 115 Didn’t start; 19:12, 12 points, 4–12 FG, 2–8 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 assists, 2 steals, 2 fouls, +3
Tuesday: Raptors 121, Blazers 118 Didn’t start; 12:12, 5 points, 2–6 FG, 1–5 3FG, 1 assist, 1 foul, -14
Wednesday: Blazers 122, Cavaliers 110 Didn’t start; 27:25, 20 points, 7–15 FG, 4–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, +8
Friday: Pistons 122, Blazers 116 Didn’t start; 11:55, 0 points, 0–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 fou, -18
Next game 6 p.m. Sunday at Memphis


Season statistics 15 games, 6.5 points, 49.3 FG%, 36.7 3FG%, 94.4 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Saturday: Bucks 116, Nets 99 Didn’t start; 20:44, 3 points, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3–3 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist ,1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +7
Monday: Nets 116, Hornets 103 Didn’t start; 23:56, 10 points, 4–8 FG, 2–5 3FG, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +5
Wednesday: Nets 113, Bulls 103 Didn’t start; 13:22, 5 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 turnover, +8
Next game 5 p.m. Saturday vs. New Orleans


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 21 games, 6.6 points, 57.5 FG%, 27.8 3P%, 58.9 FT%, 5.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Saturday: Bucks 116, Nets 99 Didn’t start; 23:13, 7 points, 2–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 2–6 FT, 7 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +9
Monday: Nets 116, Hornets 103 Didn’t start; 14:31, 6 points, 2–4 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, +3
Wednesday: Nets 113, Bulls 103 Didn’t start; 12:33, 5 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 blocks, +5
Next game 5 p.m. Saturday vs. New Orleans


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 — 6 games, 23.8 points, 44.4 FG%, 32.7 3PFG, 79.6 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 0.7 of a steal
Saturday: Pacers 103, Bulls 101 and Monday: Magic 125, Bulls 120 and Wednesday: Nets 113, Bulls 103 Didn’t play (tightness in left calf)
Friday: Pacers 120, Bulls 105 Started; 26:26, 22 points, 4–14 FG, 1–5 3FG, 9–12 FT, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -1
Next game 7 p.m. Sunday vs. Golden State


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


Season statistics — 9 games, 9.6 points, 39.1 FG%, 14.3 3P%, 80.0 FT%, 5.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2.6 steals
Sunday: Greensboro Swarm 124, Capital City 106 Started; 41 minutes, 4 points, 2–7 FG, 0–4 3FG, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 fouls, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -9
Wednesday: Raptor 905 123, Capital City 104 (road) Started; 31 mintues, 6 points, 2–8 FG, 0–3 3FG, 1–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 block, -17
Friday: Raptor 905 124, Capital City 120 (road) Started; 10 points, 5–12 FG, 0–3 3FG, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 3 steals, 1 turnover, 2 blocks, -1
Next game 1 p.m. Wednesday vs. Maine


Season statistics — 6 games, 6.0 points, 51.7 FG%, 4–10 3P, 3–5 FT, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.5 of a block
Monday: United States 123, Nicaragua 93 in World Cup qualifying Didn’t start; 19:04, 7 points, 3–3 FG, 1–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 fouls, 1 block, +17
Friday: Memphis Hustle 124, Birmingham 99 Didn’t start; 8 points, 3–8 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–3 FT, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, 2 turnovers, 1 block
Next game 4 p.m. Sunday vs. Texas Legends


Season statistics — 9 games, 21.7 points, 45.1 FG%, 37.5 3P%, 88.0 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.0 steal
Saturday: San Diego Clippers 124, South Bay 113 Started in backcourt with Bronny James; 35 minutes, 24 points, 9–20 FG, 4–11 3FG, 2–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -2
Sunday: San Diego Clippers 108, South Bay 107 Started; 38 minutes, 28 points, 9–22 FG, 3–9 3FG, 4–4 FT, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 foul, 2 steals, 1 turnover, +9
Tuesday: Salt Lake City Stars 136, South Bay Lakers 105 Started; 32 minutes, 16 points, 5–15 FG, 3–8 3FG, 2–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 fouls, 3 turnovers, -18
Next game 6 p.m. Sunday at Rip City Remix


Season NBA statistics — 3 games, 11 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +13
Season G League statistics — 5 games, 15.2 points, 50.0 FG%, 35.3 3P%, 58.3 FT%, 11.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.4 steals
Sunday: Austin 110, Oklahoma City Blue 96 Didn’t play
Next game 9 p.m. Monday at Mexico City Capitanes


Season statistics — 6 games, 20.0 points, 60.8 FG%, 45.2 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 blocks
Sunday: Noblesville Boom 111, Wisconsin 109 32 minutes, 11 points, 5–11FG, 4–8 3FG, 0–1 FT, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, +6
Wednesday: Wisconsin 114, Motor City Cruise 112 24 points, 10–15 FG, 1–4 3FG, 0–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers, 3 blocks, +1
Friday in NBA: 76ers 116, Bucks 101 Didn’t start; 0:50, +2
Next game 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at Noblesville Boom, ESPN+


Season statistics — 2 games, 19.5 points, 58.3 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 4–4 FT, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steal
Sunday: Noblesville Boom 111, Wisconsin 109 Inactive for game
Wednesday: Wisconsin 114, Motor City Cruise 112 Didn’t play
Next game 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at Noblesville Boom, ESPN+


Photo via @nbagleague

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