Tar Heels in pros: White hits 35 in another big homecoming game at Charlotte; Pinson scores 25, 6 3s in G League

By R.L. Bynum

Coby White continues to play consistently well for the Chicago Bulls, but there’s nothing like coming home and rebounding from a performance that “ticked” him off.

After scoring 27 points on Jan. 8 in a win at Charlotte, he returned to his home state on Wednesday to pour in a season-high 35 points in the Bulls’ 117–110 road victory over the Hornets to hand them their fifth consecutive loss.

“We couldn’t stop Coby White,” Charlotte’s Miles Bridges said. “Coby White, [Nikola Vucevic], they had a good two-man connection going. We couldn’t stop Coby in the clutch. If we got like three stops on Coby, we win the game.”

White, who scored four 3-pointers, aggressively drove to the basket and finished with nine assists and seven rebounds after he scored only 13 points in Tuesday’s 118–107 home loss to Toronto.

“I personally don’t think he was happy the way he played,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said of White’s play against the Raptors. “And that’s the one thing I admire and respect about him is he’s very introspective. He can course-correct pretty quickly. He was really aggressive, he got downhill and did a lot of really good things and opened up things for himself and our team.”

His 29.4 game score was second only this season to his 29.7 when he had 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists on Jan. 22 in a loss at Phoenix. White said that he had renewed vigor because of the way Tuesday’s game went.

“The biggest thing is winning and losing, and the loss [to the Raptors] kind of ticked me off because, down the stretch, it was a winnable game for us,” said White, who scored 15 in Chicago’s 104–96 Sunday win at Portland and 25 in Thursday’s 141–132 road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. “I attack every game the same, but, obviously, I wanted to come out [Wednesday] and be a lot more aggressive.”

It was White’s best scoring game since he netted 36 points on Jan. 6, 2021, at Sacramento.

White scored 10 fourth-quarter points, and gave the Bulls (23–26) a 10-point lead on a drive between two defenders with 1:26 left.

Leaky Black had three points on a 3-pointer, with one rebound, one assist and one steal in 13 minutes for Charlotte (10–36).


Harrison Barnes scored 20 points and four 3-pointers in Saturday’s 120–115 Sacramento win at Dallas, but had 12 points in Monday’s 103–94 victory at Memphis and nine in Wednesday’s 115–106 loss at Miami. The Kings (27–19) are 3–1 on a road trip that concludes with games at Indiana Friday, at Chicago on Saturday and at Cleveland on Monday.


After missing Saturday’s 106–104 Brooklyn home win over Houston for personal reasons, Cameron Johnson scored 17 points in Monday’s 147–114 home win over Utah and 18 in Wednesday’s 136–120 home loss to Phoenix, scoring three 3-pointers in both games.


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Day’Ron Sharpe is dealing with a hyperextended left knee and hasn’t played in the Nets’ last 10 games.

Nassir Little played one scoreless minute in the Suns’ win at Brooklyn after playing two scoreless minutes in Phoenix’s 113–98 Saturday loss at Orlando and not playing (coach’s decision) in the Suns’ previous two games.


Cole Anthony scored 11 points in Orlando’s 108–98 Wednesday win at San Antonio, just as he did in Monday’s 131–129 loss at Dallas. That came after scoring only five in both Sunday’s 113–98 home win over Phoenix and Friday’s 107–106 loss at Memphis.


Walker Kessler had 10 points and three blocks in Utah’s 133–121 Saturday win at Charlotte, 11 points and seven rebounds in Monday’s 147–114 loss at Brooklyn and six points, six rebounds and four blocks in Tuesday’s 118–103 loss at New York.


Reggie Bullock has played in only one of Houston’s last four games, scoring five points in eight minutes in the Rockets’ 138–104 Friday victory at Charlotte.


In the G League, Theo Pinson collected 25 points, six 3-pointers, five rebounds, four steals and three assists in the Texas Legends’ 121–103 Wednesday win at Austin. He had 19 points in Friday’s 122–118 home loss to Iowa and five points in a 126–117 Saturday loss to Iowa.

Justin Jackson scored 27 points and seven 3-pointers for Texas on Saturday, 16 points on Wednesday and nine points on Friday. Tony Bradley didn’t play Friday, but had 16 points and 10 rebounds Saturday, with 13 points and six rebounds Wednesday.


Pete Nance, after not playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday and Monday, was back in the G League and had 11 points, five rebounds, five assists and three blocks Wednesday in the Cleveland Charge’s 119–118 win over the Greensboro Swarm.

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 34 games, 6.8 points, 43.2 FG%, 30.6 3P%, 61.5 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists
Team record: 18–29, 12th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 139–122 loss at Philadelphia 14:13, 10 points, 3–8 FG, 1–2 3FG, 3–4 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -17
Thursday: 109–99 loss at Washington 14:51, 2 points, 1–7 FG, 0–3 3FG, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, -16
Sunday: 107–79 loss at Boston 17:36, 5 points, 2–11 FG, 1–6 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -9
Next game 8 p.m. Tuesday vs. Chicago


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 49 games, 10.5 points, 43.7 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 85.9 FT%, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 33–16, 2nd in Western Conference
Wednesday: 111–99 win at Houston —Started; 28:46, 9 points, 4–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 foul, +1
Saturday: 111–106 loss at Charlotte —Didn’t start; 24:48, 11 points, 3–6 FG, 3–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +4
Sunday: 111–106 loss at Charlotte —Started; 7 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2–4 FT, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +10
Next game 9:30 Wednesday vs. Oklahoma City, ESPN


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: 13–36, 14th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: 113–110 win vs. Chicago — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Last 10-day contract expires; could return to Pacers after trade deadline


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: 33–17, 3rd in Western Conference
Out for at least a month with a bone bruise and hyperextended right knee


Roster situation Backup point guard behind Deni Avdija/fourth-string 2 guard
Season statistics — 42 games, 11.4 points, 39.8 FG%, 32.3 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Team record: 23–27, 10th in Western Conference
Monday: 102–94 loss at Boston Didn’t start; 25:45, 11 points, 5–14 FG, 1–7 3FG, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 turnovers, -1
Friday: 127–97 loss at New York Didn’t start; 27:14, 12 points, 5–15 FG, 2–10 3FG, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -11
Sunday: 130–111 loss vs. Cleveland Didn’t start; 26:39, 21 points, 8–15 FG, 3–8 3FG, 2–2FT, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -5
Next game 11 p.m. Tuesday vs. Phoenix, Peacock


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 — 17 games, 3.7 points, 55.3 FG%, 45.8 3P%, 1.2 rebounds, 0.4 of an assist
Team record: 18–29, 12th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 139–122 loss at Philadelphia 2:23, 2 points, 1–2 FG, -3
Thursday: 109–99 loss at Washington 20:08, 13 points, 6–10 FG, 1–3 3FG, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 fouls, -1
Sunday: 107–79 loss at Boston 18:08, 7 points, 3–6 FG, 1–3 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 turnover, 4, fouls, -16
Next game 8 p.m. Tuesday vs. Chicago


Roster situation Starting shooting guard
Season statistics 37 games, 6.2 points, 44.2 FG%, 30.8 3FG%, 91.3 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Team record: 13–35, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 106–102 loss at Phoenix Started; 8:28, 1 turnover, -9
Thursday: 107–103 loss at Denver Didn’t start; 19:59, 7 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -11
Friday: 109–99 win at Utah Didn’t start; 16:01, 2 points, 1–1 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, +14
Sunday: 130–77 loss at Detroit Didn’t start; 32:09, 12 points, 3–7 FG, 1–3 3FG, 5–5 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, -30
Next game 7:30 Tuesday vs. Los Angeles Lakers


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 46 games, 8.0 points, 60.3 FG%, 22.6 3P%, 67.7 FT%, 6.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 13–35, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 106–102 loss at Phoenix Didn’t start; 19:19, 7 points, 3–5 FG, 1–2 FT, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 foul, +5
Thursday: 107–103 loss at Denver Didn’t start; 16:59, 7 points, 3–5 FG, 1–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -12
Friday: 109–99 win at Utah Didn’t start; 17:49, 16 points, 4–5 FG, 1–1 3FG, 7–9 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, +12
Sunday: 130–77 loss at Detroit Didn’t start; 22:12, 8 points, 2–5 FG, 4–6 FT, 11 rebounds, 5 turnovers, 1 foul, -12
Next game 7:30 Tuesday vs. Los Angeles Lakers


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 — 28 games, 18.5 points, 43.9 FG%, 35.0 3PFG, 81.0 FT%, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists
Team record: 24–26, 9th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: 113–110 loss at Indiana Started; 31:34, 14 points, 5–15 FG, 1–5 3FG, 3–4 FT, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, -9
Thursday: 116–113 loss vs. Miami Started; 31:34, 14 points, 2–11 FG, 2–8 3FG, 8–10 FT, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 5 fouls, +5
Saturday: 125–118 win at Miami Didn’t play (injury management; right calf)
Sunday: 134–91 loss at Miami Started; 29:30, 16 points, 4–13 FG, 0–6 3FG, 8–8 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 turnovers, 2 fouls, team-low -42
Next game 8 p.m. Tuesday at Milwaukee


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


Season statistics — 29 games, 10.8 points, 46.4 FG%, 36.2 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.0 steals
Friday: 124–99 loss vs. Wisconsin Herd Started; 31 minutes, 6 points, 2–7 FG, 2–4 3FG, 9 rebounds, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -18
Saturday: 110–98 win vs. Wisconsin Herd Started; 38 minutes, 9 points, 4–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 10 rebounds, 4 assist, 3 steals, 1 block, +16
Next game 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. South Bay Lakers, ESPN+


Season statistics — 26 games, 5.3 points, 44.3 FG%, 36.8 3P%, 68.4 FT%, 5.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.4 of a block
Wednesday: 115–97 win vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce, Friday: 124–111 loss at Noblesville Boom and Sunday: 125–109 loss at Noblesville Boom Inactive for all three games
Next game 7 p.m. Saturday at Capital City Go-Go


Season statistics — 28 games, 19.4 points, 44.8 FG%, 40.6 3P%, 88.3 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Tuesday: 121–107 win vs. College Park Skyhawks Started; 30 minutes, 21 points, 7–18 FG, 3–7 3FG, 2–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +17
Thursday: 125–118 win vs. Salt Lake City Stars Started; 34 minutes, 30 points, 11–22 FG, 4–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, +24
Saturday: 146–104 win vs. Salt Lake City Stars Started; 35 minutes, career-high 45 points, 15–22 FG, 69 3FG (6 ties his career-high), 4–4 FT, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 blocks, +42
Next game 7 p.m. Monday at Osceola Magic, Prime Video


Season NBA statistics — 3 games, 11 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +13
Season G League statistics — 21 games, 14.6 points, 47.4 FG%, 29.6 3P%, 60.0 FT%, 11.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Tuesday: 116–107 win at Valley Suns Started; 27 minutes, 9 points, 4–12 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1–3 FT, 12 rebounds, 5 assist, 2 fouls 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +5
Thursday: 119–115 loss vs. Stockton Kings Started; 30 minutes, 15 points, 5–14 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3–5 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 turnover, -5
Next game 11:30 a.m. Wednesday vs. Texas Legends


Season statistics — 23 games, 19.1 points, 49.1 FG%, 40.7 3P%, 90.7 FT%, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals
Friday: 124–99 win at Capital City Go-Go Started; 31 minutes, 22 points, 9–15 FG, 4–8 3FG, 0–1 FT, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, +11
Saturday: 110–98 loss at Capital City Go-Go Started; 31 minutes, 16 points, 6–17 FG, 4–11 3FG, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -2
Next game 11 a.m. Thursday at Delaware Blue Coats


Photo via @chicagobulls

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