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, 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 — 27 games, 6.5 points, 42.8 FG%, 28.5 3P%, 59.1 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists
Team record: 13–19, 11th in Eastern Conference
Friday: Grizzlies 125, Bucks 104 — 3:26, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, -2
Saturday: Bucks 112, (at) Bulls 103 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7 p.m. Monday at Charlotte
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 — 31 games, 12.6 points, 46.9 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 88.7 FT%, 3.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 23–8, 2nd in Western Conference
Thursday: Spurs 130, Thunder 110 — Started; 30:25, 15 points, 5–12 FG, 3–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, +2
Saturday: Jazz 127, Spurs 114 — Started; 22:47, 3 points, 1–4 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 foul, -5
Next game — 8 p.m. Monday vs. Cleveland, NBC, Peacock
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 — 25 games, 4.4 points, 58.4 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 72.7 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 0.5 of an assist
Team record: 6–26, 14th in Eastern Conference
Friday: Celtics 140, Pacers 122 — 6:59, 4 points, 2–3 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -6
Saturday: (at) Heat 142, Pacers 116 — 11:00, 3 points, 1–1 FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 turnovers, 4 rebounds, 3 fouls, -9
Next game — 8 p.m. Monday at Houston
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: 22–9, 3rd in Western Conference
Thursday: Nuggets 142, Timberwolves 138, OT; Saturday: Magic 127, Nuggets 126 — Missed both games; out four to six weeks with a bone bruise and hyperextended right knee
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday at Orlando
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 — 23 games, 8.2 points, 35.2 FG%, 27.1 3P%, 76.2 FT%, 2.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Team record: 12–19, 10th in Western Conference
Friday: Clippers 119, Blazers 103 — Didn’t start; 25:15, 14 points, 5–10 FG, 3–7 3FG, 1–2 FT, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -17
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday at Portland
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 — 20 games, 6.1 points, 48.9 FG%, 37.5 3FG%, 95.2 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Team record: 10–19, 13th in Eastern Conference
Saturday: Nets 123, Timberwolves 107 — 17:33, 7 points, 3–6 FG, 1–3 3FG, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal, +13
Next game — 7:30 Monday vs. Golden State
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 — 28 games, 7.2 points, 61.5 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 65.2 FT%, 5.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Team record: 10–19, 13th in Eastern Conference
Saturday: Nets 123, Timberwolves 107 — 17:27; 10 points, 5–5 FG, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 turnover, +21
Next game — 7:30 Monday vs. Golden State
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 — 15 games, 20.5 points, 44.5 FG%, 32.4 3PFG, 79.6 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists
Team record: 15–16, 9th in Eastern Conference
Friday: Bulls 109, 76ers 102 — Started; 29:01, 13 points, 4–12 FG, 1–6 3FG, 4–4 FT, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -1
Saturday: Bucks 112, Bulls 103 — Started; 28:43, 16 points, 6–12 FG, 4–8 3FG, 0–1 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 turnovers, 3 fouls, -5
Next game — 8 p.m. Monday vs. 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 — 16 games, 10.6 points, 43.4 FG%, 26.7 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 6.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals
Team record: 2–1, tied for 2nd in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 6–8, fifth in East Division
Thursday: Capital City 122, (at) College Park Skyhawks 100 — Started; 9 points, 4–9 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1–1 FT, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 foul, +19
Next game — 3 p.m. Thursday at Westchester Knicks
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 14 games, 4.9 points, 44.4 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.5 of a block
Team record: 2–1, tied for 2nd in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 5–7, seventh in South Division
Saturday: Birmingham 105, (at) Westchester Knicks 98 — Didn’t play
Next game — 7 p.m. Sunday at Westchester Knicks
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 15 games, 19.1 points, 45.4 FG%, 36.4 3P%, 86.4 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steal
Team record: 2–1, tied for 3rd in Western Conference; finished Showcase Cup 7–7, fifth in West Division
Saturday: Oklahoma City Blue 124, South Bay 123 — Started; 13 points, 4–15 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, -1
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday vs. Memphis Hustle
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 — 10 games, 15.9 points, 51.3 FG%, 37.8 3P%, 58.3 FT%, 10.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals
Team record: 1–2, tied for 8th in Western Conference; finished Showcase Cup 12–2, first in South Division
Saturday: Austin 109, Mexico City Capitanes 105 — Started; 26 points, 10–15 FG, 2–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 14 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, +4
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Santa Cruz Warriors
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 — 9 games, 32 minutes, 18 points, 7–14 FG, 4–9 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Team record: 0–3, tied for 15th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 4–10, eighth in Central Division
Friday in NBA: Grizzlies 125, Bucks 104 — 3:26, 1 turnover, -2
Saturday in NBA: Bucks 112, (at) Bulls 103 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7 p.m. Tuesday at Cleveland Charge, ESPN+
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 8 games, 16.9 points, 50.5 FG%, 34.7 3P%, 15–15 FT, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steal
Team record: 0–3, tied for 15th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 4–10, eighth in Central Division
Saturday: Grand Rapids Gold 125, Wisconsin 111 — Started; 23 points, 9–22 FG, 4–9 3FG, 1–1 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, -13
Next game — 7 p.m. Tuesday at Cleveland Charge, ESPN+
Photo via @chicagobulls
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