By R.L. Bynum
Harrison Barnes did it all for Sacramento on Thursday night to help the Kings win a thriller over one of his former teams.
The 12-year NBA veteran scored a career-high 39 points and seven 3-pointers, hitting consecutive clutch baskets and getting a huge block as the Kings earned a 134–133 road victory over the Golden State Warriors before a national TNT audience.
“It feels good,” Barnes told TNT after the game about beating his former team, as the Kings start a seven-game road trip. He put up a season-high 31.1 game score, his highest since producing a 33.2 when he scored 36 points and a career-high eight 3-pointers against Portland on Oct. 20, 2021.
His teammates could sense that Barnes, who was 14 of 25 from the floor and 7 of 12 from 3-point range, was in a zone and kept feeding him the ball.
“The way you have a high-powered offense is all five guys are going to have to make sacrifices at times,” said Barnes, who notched his 22nd game with at least 30 points, third this season and second in a row.
Barnes’ 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter gave the Kings a 104–101 lead and another Barnes 3 pushed their lead to six with 7:01 remaining.
After Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis’ dunk gave the Kings a one-point lead with 22 seconds left, Barnes blocked a driving shot by Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga with 18 seconds left. After Sacramento’s Kevin Huerter made two free throws with 15 seconds left, Golden State’s Stephen Curry turned the ball over with one second left.
“I think the biggest thing, honestly, is just getting this road trip started off right,” Barnes told the Sacramento Bee. “We talked about the importance of where we’re at in the season and how we’ve been playing lately, and I think just starting this road trip with a win was important for us.”
After Barnes combined for 28 points during the Kings’ four-game losing streak, he has scored 71 as they have won back-to-back games after collecting 32 in Monday’s 122–107 win over Atlanta.
“We feel like we have a good team, and when the ball is moving, I want to take open shots. When the ball is finding me, I just try to maximize my opportunities,” Barnes said.
Barnes’ scoring average and shots have gone down most of the season, with De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Keegan Murray getting the bulk of Sacramento’s offensive load. But Barnes has shot well throughout, making 48.3% of his shots on the season and 41% from 3-point range.
Kings coach Mike Brown said he called more plays for Barnes on Thursday than for any other game this season.
“I think a lot of it just happens in the flow,” Fox said. “But that’s kind of how he is getting going, and once he’s going, there is more of an effort to get him the ball in certain spots.”
Coby White had another big game with 25 points, three 3-pointers, seven rebounds and three assists, but in a 141–132 Thursday road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, who got 25 points and 12 assists from LeBron James.
White made 8 of 18 shots, including 3 of 10 from 3-point range and had seven rebounds and three assists.
Brooklyn has lost three in a row. Cameron Johnson scored 19 points and four 3-pointers in the Nets’ 108–105 home loss Tuesday to New York, then had five points, four rebounds and three assists in Thursday’s 96–94 home loss to Minnesota. Day’Ron Sharpe missed both games with a hyperextended left knee.
Walker Kessler had six points and four blocks in Utah’s 153–124 Tuesday loss at New Orleans, and four points and three rebounds in Wednesday’s 123–108 victory at Washington.
Leaky Black made his only shot, a 3-point attempt, and had two rebounds in Charlotte’s 113–106 Wednesday loss at Detroit.
Nassir Little, in his first action in three games, had two points in four minutes Wednesday in Phoenix’s 132–109 victory at Dallas.
Pete Nance played two scoreless minutes for Cleveland in the Cavaliers’ 126–116 Wednesday loss at Milwaukee.
Reggie Bullock missed his fourth consecutive Houston Rockets game Wednesday with a strained lower back.
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 — 25 games, 6.9 points, 43.5 FG%, 27.5 3P%, 59.1 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Team record: 11–17, 11th in Eastern Conference
Thursday: Nets 127, Bucks 82 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7 p.m. Sunday at Minnesota
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 — 27 games, 12.6 points, 46.8 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 86.5 FT%, 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 20–7, 3rd in Western Conference
Friday: Spurs 126, (at) Hawks 98 — Started; 21:48, 7 points, 2–3 FG, 1–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, +13
Next game — 7 p.m. Sunday at Washington
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 — 23 games, 4.7 points, 56.8 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 74.2 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Team record: 6–22, 14th in Eastern Conference
Saturday: (at) Pelicans 128, Pacers 109 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7:30 Monday at Boston
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 — 25 games, 11.7 points, 46.6 FG%, 39.5 3P%, 80.0 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 20–7, 3rd in Western Conference
Saturday: Rockets 115, Nuggets 101 — Started; 31:53, 6 points, 2–10 FG, 1–3 3FG, 1–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 foul, -14
Next game — 9 p.m. Monday vs Utah
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 — 19 games, 7.9 points, 33.7 FG%, 26.3 3P%, 80.0 FT%, 2.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 12–16, 10th in Western Conference
Saturday: Blazers 98, (at) Kings 93 — Didn’t start; 9:25, 2 points, 1–5 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1 foul, -13
Next game — 10 p.m. Monday vs. Detroit
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 20 | 6–5, 195 | Rookie season | 4-year NBA rookie contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup 2 guard behind Terance Mann
Season statistics — 19 games, 6.0 points, 48.8 FG%, 37.8 3FG%, 95.2 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Team record: 7–19, 13th in Eastern Conference
Thursday: Heat 106, Nets 95 — 3:56, 3 rebounds, -1; left early with third right ankle sprain of the season.
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Toronto
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 — 25 games, 7.0 points, 59.3 FG%, 25.0 3P%, 63.1 FT%, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Team record: 7–19, 13th in Eastern Conference
Thursday: Heat 106, Nets 95 — 13:13, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 0–2 3FG, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +1
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Toronto
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 — 11 games, 21.2 points, 44.0 FG%, 28.6 3PFG, 81.8 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists
Team record: 12–15, 10th in Eastern Conference
Friday: Bulls 136, (at) Cavaliers 125 — Started; 29:46, 13 points, 5–13 FG, 1–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, +16
Next game — 3:30 Sunday at Atlanta
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 — 14 games, 10.7 points, 43.5 FG%, 21.6 3P%, 73.3 FT%, 6.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.1 steals
Team record: 8–8, 6th in East Division
Saturday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: Capital City 125, Oklahoma City Blue 86 — Started; 8 points, 3–6 FG, 2–3 3FG, 4 assists, 1 foul, 1 turnover, +31
Next game — 11:30 Monday vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce in Orlando, Fla., NBATV
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 12 games, 5.5 points, 45.8 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.6 of a block
Team record: 10–6, 3rd in East Division
Saturday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: Iowa Wolves 117, Birmingham 101 — Didn’t start; 0 points, 0–2 FG, 0–2 3FG, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, -10
Next game — 7:30 Sunday vs. Valley Suns in Orlando, Fla., Roku Sports Channel
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 13 games, 18.8 points, 43.0 FG%, 35.4 3P%, 89.2 FT%, 3.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.8 of a steals
Team record: 8–8, 5th in West Division
Saturday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: South Bay 130, Sioux Falls Skyforce 106 — Didn’t start, 16 points, 4–8 FG, 2–5 3FG, 3–5 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 2 steals, +20
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Wisconsin Herd in Orlando, ESPNU
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 — 8 games, 16.3 points, 51.1 FG%, 38.7 3P%, 58.8 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals
Team record: 8–8, 5th in South Division
Friday in quarterfinals of the Winter Showcase Cup in Orlando: Stockton Kings 119, Austin Spurs 117, OT — Didn’t start; 35 minutes, 11 points, 5–11 FG, 1–3 3FG, 0–1 FT, 10 rebounds, 2 fouls, -11
Next game — noon Sunday vs. Maine Celtics at Winter Showcase in Orlando, NBATV
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Season G League statistics — 6 games, 20.0 points, 60.8 FG%, 45.2 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 blocks
Season NBA statistics — 7 games, 37 minutes, 18 points, 7–14 FG, 4–9 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Team record: 5–11, 8th in Central Division
Tuesday: Iowa Wolves 110, Wisconsin 108 — Inactive for game
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. South Bay Lakers in Orlando, Fla., ESPNU
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 6 games, 16.0 points, 47.9 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 13–13 FT, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Team record: 5–11, 8th in Central Division
Tuesday: Iowa Wolves 110, Wisconsin 108 — Didn’t start; 23 minutes, 14 points, 5–11 FG, 2–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 fouls, 1 block, +3
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. South Bay Lakers in Orlando, Fla., ESPNU
Photo via @SacramentoKings
tarheeltribune.com 
Lowry would be a good pickup to boost the bench. Can still shoot and run an offense even though he’s physically wearing down.
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