By R.L. Bynum
Coby White continues on the likely path to becoming the first Tar Heel to make the NBA All-Star Game in 16 years. That would probably be fine with the Charlotte Hornets, as long as they don’t have to face him again.
Three nights after scoring 22 points on the Hornets in a 13-point Chicago home win, White poured in 27 points as the Bulls overcame Terry Rozier’s 39 points to win 119–112 in overtime at the Spectrum Center on Monday night.
“It’s always fun to come back home and see everybody who supported me throughout my career,” White said.
White could become the first former UNC player to make the NBA All-Star Game since Antawn Jamison and Rasheed Wallace were part of the East team that won the 2008 game in New Orleans 134–128.
Tar Heels in NBA All-Star Game
The recent returns to the Bulls’ lineup of All-Stars Zach LaVine (right foot injury) and Nikola Vucevic (left adductor strain) seemed likely to reduce the number of shots White gets, but it hasn’t happened yet. LaVine has been the subject of trade rumors.
White, who was 10 of 19 from the floor with three 3-pointers, six rebounds and five assists, scored at least 20 points for the 16th time this season after doing it three times last season and 11 times the season before that. He’s one short of his career-high of 17 such games during the 2020–21 season after scoring at least 20 points 13 times during his rookie season.
White produced a 20.4 game score Monday, his eighth of at least 20 this season after doing it three times last season and the season before. He had seven such games in 2020–21 and four during his rookie season.
After the Hornets erased a seven-point deficit in the last 3½ minutes of regulation, the Bulls scored the first eight overtime points to pull away.
Charlotte called Leaky Black back up to the Hornets roster, but he didn’t play (coach’s decision). He collected 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals in the Greensboro Swarm’s 97–84 Saturday win at Wisconsin.
Walker Kessler had 10 points and four rebounds in Utah’s 120–109 Saturday win at Philadelphia. He had eight points, six rebounds and two blocks in Monday’s 132–116 win at Milwaukee.
Cole Anthony and Harrison Barnes both had 10 points in Sunday night home losses.
Anthony added nine rebounds and five assists in Orlando’s 117–110 overtime setback against Atlanta and Barnes added a rebound and a steal in Sacramento’s 133–100 loss to New Orleans.
Ahead of Brooklyn’s 2 p.m. Thursday game in Paris against Cleveland (NBATV), the Nets lost in overtime Sunday at home to Portland 134–127. Day’Ron Sharpe had 11 points and six rebounds, while Cam Johnson contributed nine points, three rebounds and three assists.
Reggie Bullock didn’t play in either Houston’s 112–108 Saturday home win over Milwaukee or Monday’s 120–113 loss at Miami (coach’s decision) after playing in the previous three games.
Nassir Little has missed Phoenix’s last four games with left knee tendinitis.
In the G League, Pete Nance had a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds, also with four assists and a steal, in the Cleveland Charge’s 116–104 Saturday home victory over Santa Cruz.
In the Texas Legends’ 107–92 Saturday home win over Motor City, Justin Jackson scored 12 points and three 3-pointers, with seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Theo Pinson contributed 11 points, six rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block. Tony Bradley was inactive for the game.
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: 32–23, 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
Hasn’t reported to Phoenix since getting traded.
Next game — 8:30 Thursday, Feb.19, vs. San Antonio in Austin, Texas
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 — 54 games, 10.6 points, 44.4 FG%, 37.5 3P%, 84.2 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 33–16, 2nd in Western Conference
Tuesday: 136–108 win at Los Angeles Lakers — Didn’t start; 20:38, 11 points, 4–6 FG, 3–5 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, +20
Wednesday: 126–113 win at Golden State — Didn’t start; 21:45, 10 points, 4–8 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 foul, +29
Next game — 8:30 Thursday, Feb. 19, vs. Phoenix in Austin, Texas
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: 15–40, 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 — 31 games, 11.5 points, 47.05 FG%, 43.7 3P%, 81.0 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 35–20, 3rd in Western Conference
Wednesday: 122–116 win vs. Memphis — Started; 28:48, 5 points, 2–7 FG, 1–3 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 fouls, -6
Next game — 10:30 Thursday, Feb. 19, at Los Angeles Clippers
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 — 44 games (limited to 50 under his two-way contract), 11.3 points, 39.1 FG%, 31.9 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Team record: 26–29, 10th in Western Conference
Wednesday: 133–109 loss at Minnesota — Didn’t play, which pushed his two-way eligibility deadline to Feb. 26
Next game — 9 p.m. Thursday at Utah
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 — 21 games, 5.0 points, 60.9 FG%, 52.6 3P%, 1.9 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Team record: 22–30, 12th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: 116–108 win at Orlando — 4:19, 1 turnover, -3
Next game — 7:30 Thursday at Oklahoma City, Prime Video
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 — 42 games, 6.2 points, 43.1 FG%, 29.9 3FG%, 89.1 FT%, 1.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Team record: 15–38, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: 115–110 loss vs. Indiana — Didn’t start; 19:36, 6 points, 1–4 FG, 1–3 3FG, 3–4 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -18
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at Cleveland
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 — 51 games, 8.5 points, 61.1 FG%, 21.9 3P%, 67.9 FT%, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Wednesday: 115–110 loss vs. Indiana — Started; 30:47, 19 points, 8–11 FG, 3–4 FG, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +12
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at Cleveland
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: 25–29, 10th in Eastern Conference
Hasn’t played yet in Charlotte because of a left calf strain
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 vs. Houston
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 — 32 games, 10.7 points, 46.5 FG%, 37.5 3P%, 68.30 FT%, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.0 steals
Wednesday: 136–119 loss at Greensboro Swarm — Started; 43 minutes, 7 points, 3–7 FG, 1–3 3FG, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 2 steals, -8
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday at Greensboro Swarm, ESPN+
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 32 games, 19.5 points, 45.2 FG%, 41.2 3P%, 87.6 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Wednesday: 128–116 win vs. San Diego Clippers — Started; 22 minutes, 18 points, 4–5 FG, 3–4 3FG, 4–4 FG, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 foul, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, -13
Next game — 8:30 Friday, Feb. 20, at Texas Legends
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 — 25 games, 15.7 points, 49.0 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 61.2 FT%, 11.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.0 steal
Tuesday: 130–124 win at Iowa Wolves — Started; 36 minutes, 30 points, 13–21 FG, 2–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 fouls, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, +3
Wednesday: 135–120 win at Iowa Wolves — Started; 32 minutes, 25 points, 10–14 FG, 3–4 3FG, 1–1 FT, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 fouls, 3 steals, 1 block, +32
Next game — 10:30 Thursday, Feb. 19, at San Diego Clippers
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 26 games, 19.8 points, 47.7 FG%, 41.0 3P%, 90.0 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 steals
Tuesday: 124–110 loss vs. Birmingham Squadron — 31 minutes, 20 points, 7–20 FG, 6–14 3FG, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -17
Next game — 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, vs. Greensboro Swarm
Photo via @chicagobulls
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