By R.L. Bynum
Justin Jackson and Theo Pinson have the Texas Legends playing well in the G League after putting up huge numbers again on Wednesday.
In the Legends’ 129–117 victory over Sioux Falls, Jackson had his best game of the season with 37 points, seven 3-pointers, five assists and a block. He was 13 of 22 from the floor and 7 of 11 from the floor.
Those numbers are still well under his G League career-highs of 41 points, 11 3-pointers, and eight assists. He helped Texas win for the sixth time in seven games and gave Sioux Falls, the Miami Heat’s team, its first loss in 10 regular-season games.
“They’re the best team in the G League right now,” said Jackson after the Legends went 6–10 during the Showcase Cup portion of the season. “Coming in, we knew the things that we needed to do to try to beat them, and I think we executed pretty well on almost all those.”
For the fourth time this season, Pinson put up a double-double with points and assists, collecting 13 points, seven rebounds, 13 assists, two steals, and a block. He was 5 of 12 from the floor but made all three 3-point attempts.
“We’ve got a ton of talent and a ton of great basketball players,” Jackson said. “I think we’re starting to gel in the right way, in the right time.”
Tony Bradley was inactive for the game.
In the NBA, Cameron Johnson had 13 points, three rebounds and five assists in Brooklyn’s 105–103 Wednesday loss at Portland. Johnson eclipsed 3,000 points for his career and has 3,002.
Day’Ron Sharpe isn’t with the team on the West Coast team as he tries to recover from a hyperextended left knee.
Cole Anthony scored 10 points in Orlando’s 106–104 Wednesday loss at Atlanta.
Leaky Black played four scoreless minutes with a steal in Charlotte’s 132–112 Wednesday loss at New Orleans.
Reggie Bullock missed Houston’s 109–84 Wednesday loss at New York with a strained lower back.
Pete Nance, who signed a 10-day contract with Cleveland this week, was not active for the Cavaliers’ 135–95 Wednesday win at Milwaukee.
Cole Anthony, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 25 | 6–2, 185 | 6th season | $2.67 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string point guard behind Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins
Season statistics — 30 games, 6.8 points, 44.6 FG%, 32.2 3P%, 59.1 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Team record: 18–25, 11th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: Thunder 122, Bucks 102 — 24:15, 17 points, 7–9 FG, 3–4 3FG, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 turnovers, 4 fouls, -7
Next game — 9:30 Friday vs. Denver, Prime Video
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 — 44 games, 10..9 points, 43.5 FG%, 36.4 3P%, 87.0 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 30–14, 2nd in Western Conference
Tuesday: (at) Rockets 111, Spurs 105— Started; 24:37, 6 points, 2–6 FG, 2–5 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, -2
Next game — 9 p.m. Thursday at Utah
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 — 37 games, 4.1 points, 55.7 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 74.4 FT%, 2.9 rebounds
Team record: 8–34, 15th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: (at) Celtics 119, Pacers 104— 6:18, 2 points, 1–5 FG, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, -2
Next game — 8 p.m. Friday at Oklahoma City
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: 29–15, 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 — 36 games, 11.1 points, 39.1 FG%, 32.9 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists
Team record: 22–22, 9th in Western Conference
Tuesday: (at) Warriors 119, Blazers 97 — Started (Avdija was out with lower back soreness; Love’s 1st career start); 33:55, 17 points, 5–16 FG, 2–9 3FG, 5–8 FT, 3 rebounds, career-high 7 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 4 turnovers, 2 fouls, -14
Thursday: Blazers 117, Hawks 101 — Didn’t start; 25:39, 12 points, 5–12 FG, 2–6 3FG, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, 1 foul, +6
Saturday: Blazers 132, Lakers 116 — Didn’t start; 31:22, 22 points, 8–15 FG, 4–8 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 7 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnover, +23
Monday: Blazers 117, (at) Kings 110 — Didn’t start; 21:41, 6 points, 3–10 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +14
Next game — 10 p.m. Thursday vs. Miami
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 — 31 games, 6.4 points, 44.7 FG%, 30.8 3FG%, 88.9 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 of a steal
Team record: 12–30, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: (at) Knicks 120, Nets 86 — Started; 25:13, 6 points, 2–9 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 foul, -26
Next game — 7:30 Friday vs. Boston
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 — 40 games, 7.9 points, 60.7 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 67.3 FT%, 6.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 12–30, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: (at) Knicks 120, Nets 86 — Started; 23:51, 6 points, 2–5 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, team-low -36
Next game — 7:30 Friday vs. Boston
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 — 22 games, 18.5 points, 45.9 FG%, 35.5 3PFG, 78.9 FT%, 3.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists
Team record: 21–22, 9th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: Bulls 138, Clippers 110 — Started; 30:37, 27 points, 9–16 FG, 6–10 3FG, 3–3 FT, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, +15
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday at Minnesota
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 — 24 games, 10.8 points, 45.7 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.2 steals
Wednesday: Long Island Nets 104, Capital City 101 — Started; 41 minutes, 20 points, 7–10 FG, 6–7 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnovers, 1 block, +2
Thursday: Raptors 905 115, Capital City 104 — Started; 35 minutes, 17 points, 7–12 FG, 3–3 3FG, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, +/- of 0
Saturday: Capital City 101, Raptors 905 95 — Started; 40 minutes, 2 points, 1–8 FG, 0–3 3FG, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 fouls, 4 steals, +13
Monday: Capital City 113, (at) Texas Legends 102 — Started; 15 points, 6–10 FG, 3–6 3FG, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 2 blocks, +13
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday at Austin Spurs, ESPN+
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 21 games, 5.4 points, 44.9 FG%, 36.7 3P%, 62.5 FT%, 5.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.3 of a block
Tuesday: Raptors 905 99, Birmingham 98 — 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–1 3FG, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -6
Thursday: Motor City Cruise 109, Birmingham 94 — 20 minutes, 5 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, 1 turnovers, 1 block, -6
Saturday: Motor City Cruise 127, Birmingham 103 — inactive for game
Monday: Greensboro Swarm 116, Birmingham 114 — Didn’t start; 12 points, 2–5 FG, 2–3 3FG, 3–3 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 foul, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 blocks, =18
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Cleveland Charge, ESPN+
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 23 games, 18.1 points, 42.5 FG%, 38.1 3P%, 88.9 FT%, 4.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Tuesday: (at) Rio Grande Valley Vipers 126, South Bay 119 — Started; 32 minutes, 24 points, 7–15 FG, 4–7 3FG, 3–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, -14
Next game — 10 p.m. Thursday vs. Mexico City Capitanes, ESPN+
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 — 16 games, 15.8 points, 50.5 FG%, 32.8 3P%, 62.5 FT%, 11.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Tuesday: Austin 127, (at) Oklahoma City Blue 112 — Started; 34 minutes, 13 points, 6–16 FG, 1–5 3FG, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers, 1 block +4
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Capital City Go-Go
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd 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 — 12 games, 2.5 points, 57.1 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 1.0 rebound, 0.3 of an assist
Wednesday in NBA with Bucks: Thunder 122, Bucks 102 — 29:42, 11 points, 4–7 FG, 3–5 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +3
Next game — 12:30 Thursday vs Noblesville Boom
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 18 games, 19.3 points, 47.8 FG%, 38.3 3P%, 91.3 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.7 steals
Wednesday: Maine Celtics 114, Wisconsin 106 — Started; 40 minutes, 25 points, 10–22 FG, 2–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, -1
Friday: Maine Celtics 114, Wisconsin 106 — Started; 35 minutes, 14 points, 3–12 FG, 1–7 3FG, 3–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 foul, 1 turnover, +4
Saturday: Westchester Knicks 104, Wisconsin 94 — Started; 22 minutes, 10 points, 4–8 FG, 2–3 3FG, 1 foul, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, -18
Monday: Wisconsin 114, Westchester Knicks 103— Started; 25 minutes, 25 points, 7–15 FG, 3–7 3FG, 4–4 FT, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +22
Next game — 12:30 Thursday vs Noblesville Boom
Photo via @TexasLegends
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