By R.L. Bynum
It was a huge night in the NBA for Harrison Barnes, Coby White and Leaky Black.
Barnes and the Sacramento Kings shook off recent struggles, White came an assist shy of a triple-double in his best game of the season, and Black made huge plays in the final seconds of Charlotte’s victory.
Barnes emerged from a tough stretch of games, scoring 32 points and four 3-pointers for a 24.2 game score in the Kings’ 122–107 home victory over the Atlanta Hawks to snap a four-game losing streak.
“I thought he was really aggressive,” Kings coach Mike Brown said. “He scored in multiple areas on the floor tonight. That was a lot of fun to see.”
Barnes had combined for 34 points in the previous six games, including going scoreless in a win over Detroit on Jan. 9 and only getting two points in Thursday’s 126–121 home loss to Indiana.
Monday, though, he scored 19 points in the first half, and was 10 of 20 from the floor and 4 of 8 from 3-point range for the game, producing his best scoring game since 33 points at Utah on opening night.
“Down the stretch, we basically went to him three or four straight times, or called his number three or four straight times, and good things happened almost every time he touched the ball,” Brown said. “He had a great game from start to finish on the offensive end of the floor.”
White keeps stacking outstanding games for the Chicago Bulls, and has scored more than 20 in two of the last three games.
In Monday night’s 115–113 road loss to the Phoenix Suns, White collected a team-high 26 points, with four 3-pointers, 10 rebounds, nine assists and two steals to narrowly miss a triple-double. His 29.7 game score was a season-high.
Kevin Durant was too much for the Bulls, scoring 43 points and sinking the 17-foot game-winning jumper with 1.6 seconds left after the Suns rallied from a 23-point deficit.
“Kevin Durant was Kevin Durant,” White said. “Yeah — he’s tough.”
White’s effort came after contributing 23 points, eight rebounds and four assists in Thursday’s 116–110 win at Toronto, then 17 points, five rebounds and four assists in Saturday’s 125–96 home victory over Memphis.
Nassir Little, after playing four scoreless minutes in the Suns’ 123–109 Friday win at New Orleans, didn’t play against the Bulls or in Sunday’s 117–110 home win over Indiana (coach’s decision).
Black played five strong minutes and made some huge plays at the end of Charlotte’s 128–125 Monday victory over Minnesota after not playing (coach’s decision) in the Hornets’ previous two games.
The Timberwolves ‘ Karl-Anthony Towns scored a franchise-record 62 points, including 44 in the first half. But Black ripped the ball away from Towns on a drive with three seconds left. Black then secured Charlotte’s 10th win by making two free throws with two seconds left. He had never previously made an NBA free-throw attempt.
“Obviously, it feels good when the coach puts you into the fire like that, especially with a game on the line,” said Black, who was credited with a block and a rebound on that defensive play. “Some players will complain about it, but everybody just tells me to stay ready. They know why I’m here. They know I’m a defensive-minded player. I was just ready.”
Black was +10, scoring a season-high seven points and also collecting three rebounds, an assist and a block.
After playing three scoreless minutes in his NBA debut for the Cleveland Cavaliers in their 116–95 Saturday win at Atlanta, Pete Nance was back in the G League Monday. He contributed 25 points, five 3-pointers and eight rebounds in the Cleveland Charge’s 118–106 win at Osceola.
The Texas Legends lost two weekend home games against Rio Grande, 126–119 on Friday and 132–118 on Saturday. Justin Jackson had 23 points on Friday and 13 on Saturday. Theo Pinson scored 18 Friday and 14 Saturday. Tony Bradley was inactive for both games.
Cameron Johnson scored 10 points in Brooklyn’s 130–112 Friday road win over the Los Angeles Lakers and had nine in Sunday’s 125–114 road loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Day’Ron Sharpe missed both games with a hyperextended left knee.
Walker Kessler had seven points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in Utah’s 127–126 overtime road loss to Houston on Saturday night. Reggie Bullock hasn’t played in the Rockets’ last four games as he is dealing with a strained lower back.
Cole Anthony, battling an ankle injury, has combined for only 13 points in Orlando’s last three games, two of them losses.
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 — 45 games (limited to 50 under his two-way contract), 11.3 points, 39.0 FG%, 32.1 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Team record: 27–29, 9th in Western Conference
Wednesday: 133–109 loss at Minnesota — Didn’t play, which pushed his two-way eligibility deadline to Feb. 26
Thursday: 135–119 win at Utah — Didn’t start; 14:41, 11 points, 4–12 FG, 3–8 3FG, 2 assists, -14
Next game — 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, vs. Denver
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 — 23 games, 5.0 points, 61.3 FG%, 53.5 3P%, 2.0 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Team record: 23–30, 12th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: 116–108 win at Orlando — 4:19, 1 turnover, -3
Thursday: 110–93 win at Oklahoma City — 23:58, 11 points, 4–6 FG, 3–5 3FG, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, +4
Next game — 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at New Orleans
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 — 34 games, 10.5 points, 45.7 FG%, 36.3 3P%, 64.5 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.9 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
Thursday: 119–107 loss at Greensboro Swarm — Started; 38 minutes, 6 points, 2–9 FG, 0–4 3FG, 1–1 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, 1 turnover, 1 block, -16
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, vs. Osceola Magic, 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 @SacramentoKings
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