Tar Heels in NBA: Anthony hits 23 as Magic top Denver; White has 22, double-double, moves up Bulls 3-pointers list

By R.L. Bynum

Cole Anthony scored 23 points in a big road victory for short-handed Orlando at reigning NBA champion Denver, and Coby White netted 22 and a double-double in Chicago’s home win over Charlotte on Friday night.

Anthony was 8 of 15 from the floor with three 3-pointers, two rebounds and four assists as Orlando won 122–120 despite playing without seven players, including guard Markelle Fultz (left knee injury) and Wendell Carter Jr. (right knee).

Former Duke star Paolo Banchero had 32 points, a career-high 11 assists and 10 rebounds to become the youngest player in franchise history to record a triple-double.


White was 7 of 12 from the floor, with 10 rebounds and six assists in the Bulls’ 104–91 win to end a two-game skid.

With his three 3-pointers, White passed Scottie Pippin (664), and is fourth all-time on the 3-pointers list in franchise history (665).

It was the first game for Zach LaVine after missing 17 games and Nikola Vucevic after missing five, both with foot injuries.

The return of LaVine will likely change the dynamic offensively for the Bulls after White has had the ball in his hands most of the time while LaVine was out. White’s first assist didn’t come until late in the first half.

“Certainly, the ball is in his hands quite a bit. He needs to continue to be aggressive,” Chicago coach Billy Donovan said. “I wouldn’t want him to change the way he’s playing or feel like he has to.”


Harrison Barnes had 16 points, four rebounds and two assists in Sacramento’s 135–130 home win over Toronto.


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In Brooklyn’s 124–115 win over Oklahoma City, which snapped a five-game losing streak, Cam Johnson had nine points, three rebounds, and two assists, while Day’Ron Sharpe contributed six points, two rebounds, and two assists.


Walker Kessler collected four points and seven rebounds in Utah’s 126–97 loss at Boston.


Nassir Little missed Phoenix’s 113–97 home win over Miami with left knee soreness, the fifth consecutive game he’s missed.


In Houston’s 122–95 home win over Minnesota, Reggie Bullock had five points in eight minutes.

Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 34 | 6–7, 225 | 15th season | $8 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)

Roster situation — Reserve forward
Final statistics last season — 77 games, 9.9 points, 45.6 FG%, 38.8 3P%, 82.9 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Team record last season: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Thursday — Hawks 123, Spurs 116 (home) | didn’t start: 16:30, 7 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +3
Saturday — Suns 102, Spurs 98 (road) | didn’t start: 16:54, 6 points, 2–5 FG, 2–5 3FG, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +3
Monday — Jazz 119, Spurs 109 (road) | started: 23:18, 19 points, 3–8 FG, 3–7 3FG, 10–12 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 turnovers, -13
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Phoenix
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock


Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
Final G League statistics last season (Capital City) — 38 games, 10.3 points, 45.6 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals
Final NBA statistics last season (Wizards) — 15 games, 7.1 points, 38.8 FG%, 34.5 3FG%, 87.5 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals
Thursday — Lakers 114, Kings 110 (road) | didn’t start: 10:45, 4 points, 2–2 FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, -3
Saturday — Warriors 111, Kings 106 (road) | didn’t start: 17:21, 9 points, 3–4 FG, 3–3 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -1
Next exhibition — 10 p.m. Tuesday vs. Portland
Season opener — 10:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Los Angeles Clippers


Final statistics last season — 41 games, 4.0 points, 54.7 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Thursday — Wizards 111, Knicks 109 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Monday — Timberwolves 122, Knicks 104 (home) | 7:10, 10 points, 5–5 FG, 2 rebounds, -1
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Tuesday at Toronto
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Philadelphia, NBC


RJ Davis, San Antonio Spurs guard
Age 24 (turns 25 Oct. 21) | 6–0, 182 | second season | $1.35 million salary | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)

Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season (South Bay) — 49 games, 18.4 points, 46.8 FG%, 42.4 3P%, 86.4 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists
Thursday — Hawks 123, Spurs 116 (home) | didn’t start: 7:15, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, -8
Saturday — Suns 102, Spurs 98 (road) | didn’t start: 4:20, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2 turnovers, -3
Monday — Jazz 119, Spurs 109 (road) | didn’t start: 14:54, 5 points, 2–8 FG, 1–3 3FG, 0–2 FT, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 3 fouls, team-high +8
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Phoenix
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock


Harrison Ingram, Utah Jazz forward
Age 23 (turns 24 Oct. 21) | 6–6, 230 | second season | $2.45 million salary | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)

Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
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
Team record last season: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Monday — Jazz 119, Spurs 109 (home) | didn’t start: 7:02, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -13
Next exhibition — 10 p.m. Friday at Phoenix
Season opener — 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Phoenix


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
Final statistics last season — 54 games, 12.2 points, 48.0 FG%, 43.0 3P%, 83.9 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record last season: 54–28, 3rd in Western Conference
Sunday — Nuggets 133, Bulls 128 (home) | started: 24:52, 15 points, 5–7 FG, 4–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +8
Next exhibition — 10:30 Wednesday at Los Angeles Clippers, NBATV
Season opener — 9:30 Thursday, Oct. 22, at Oklahoma City, ESPN


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
Final statistics last season (Utah) — 5 games, 14.4 points, 70.3 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks
Thursday — Lakers 114, Kings 110 (home) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision; jammed finger)
Next exhibition — 10 p.m. Tuesday vs. Golden State, NBATV
Season opener — 10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Golden State, ESPN


Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
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
Thursday — Nets 114, 76ers 108 (road) | didn’t start: 13:34, 4 points, 2–5 FG, 0–3 3FG, 5 assists, 2 fouls, +2
Saturday — Celtics 144, 76ers 106 (road) | didn’t start: 14:15, 3 points, 1–7 FG, 0–4 3FG, 1–3 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -15
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Friday vs. Boston, NBATV
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at New York, NBC


Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
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
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Sunday — Hornets 105, Bucks 90 (road) | didn’t start: 6:47, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 foul, +3
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Chicago
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Washington


Roster situation — Backup 2 guard behind Egor Demin
Final regular-season NBA statistics — 63 games, 6.5 points, 40.2 FG%, 28.0 3FG%, 89.6 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Final regular-season G League statistics — 5 games, 11.8 points, 44.2 FG%, 36.4 3FG%, 72.7 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Thursday — Nets 114, Sixers 108 (home) | didn’t start: 14:26, 4 points, 1–4 FG, 0–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, +3
Monday — Nets 131, Wizards 22 (road) | didn’t start: 10:22, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1 rebounds, 3 fouls, +6
Next exhibition — 7:30 Wednesday at Miami
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Charlotte


Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
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
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Sunday — Hornets 105, Bucks 90 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Chicago
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Washington


Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Moritz Wagner
Final statistics last season — 62 games, 8.7 points, 60.1 FG%, 23.1 3FG%, 67.8 FT%, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Thursday — Nets 114, Sixers 108 (home) | didn’t play (left shoulder soreness)
Monday — Nets 131, Wizards 22 (road) | started: 21:07, 4 points, 1–1 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1–4 FT, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, +4
Next exhibition — 7:30 Wednesday at Miami
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Charlotte


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 Schroder
Statistics last season (Bulls, Hornets) — 50 games, 17.4 points, 44.6 FG%, 36.2 3PFG, 81.7 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Team record: 44–38, 9th in Eastern Conference
Will miss preseason after suffering a left calf strain during training camp
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Brooklyn


Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 20 | 6–10, 215 | Rookie season | $10.28 million salary | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)

Roster situation — Starting power forward ahead of Patrick Williams
Statistics last season (UNC) — 24 games, 19.8 points, 57.8 FG%, 25.9 3P%, 71.3 FT%, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.4 blocks
Friday — Grizzlies 104, Bulls 100 (home) | started: 31:37, 21 points, 7–17 FG, 5–11 3FG, 2–6 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 3 fouls, -18
Sunday — Nuggets 133, Bulls 128 (road) | started: 25:20, 17 points, 6–10 FG, 1–4 3FG, 4–7 FT, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, 5 turnovers, 3 fouls, +/- of 0
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Wednesday at Milwaukee
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Toronto


Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept.15)

Photo @chicagobulls

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