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.
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, 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 @chicagobulls
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