By R.L. Bynum
Coby White, one of the four former Tar Heels who will play in the NBA postseason, concluded his best pro season with 26 points on Sunday. Rookie Leaky Black tied his season-high of 11 points in the Charlotte Hornets season-ending win.
White’s Bulls and Harrison Barnes’ Sacramento Kings play home elimination games this week in the play-in tournament.
Chicago is the Eastern Conference’s No. 9 seed and meets the Atlanta Hawks in a play-in tournament game at 9:30 Wednesday (ESPN). Chicago’s season is over with a loss. With a win, the Bulls would meet the loser of the 7 p.m. Wednesday play-in game between No. 7 seed Philadelphia and No. 8 seed Miami (ESPN).
White made 12 of 18 shots in Sunday’s 120–119 overtime loss at New York, his 14th game this season with more than 25 points. He averaged 19.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists, all career highs.
Sacramento is the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference and takes on No. 10 Golden State at 10 p.m. Tuesday (TNT). The Kings are eliminated with a loss. With a win, they would play the loser of a 7:30 Tuesday play-in game between No. 7 New Orleans and No. 8 Los Angeles Lakers (TNT).
In the Kings’ regular-season finale, Barnes scored 17 points in their 121–82 home win over Portland. His average of 12.2 points was his lowest total since averaging 11.7 in the 2015–16 season.
Cole Anthony’s Orlando Magic is the No. 5 seed in the East, and will meet the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers in a first-round series.
Anthony collected 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in Orlando’s 113–88 Sunday victory over Milwaukee. He averaged 11.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists while playing 22.4 minutes per game, all career-lows.
Nassir Little’s Phoenix Suns are the No. 6 seed in the West and face No. 3 Minnesota in a first-round series. He had four points in five minutes of the Suns’ 125–106 Sunday win against the Timberwolves. Little only averaged 10.2 minutes and 3.4 points per game, both career-lows.
Black’s Hornets finished 21–61, but he scored 11 points in Charlotte’s 120–110 Sunday win at Cleveland. That matched the 11 points he scored on Feb. 2 at Oklahoma City.
Black averaged 2.7 points in 26 NBA games while averaging 7.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 26 games for the G League’s Greensboro Swarm.
Reggie Bullock finished a frustrating season for the 41–41 Houston Rockets, going scoreless in six minutes in their 116–106 season-ending road loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. It was the 21st scoreless game this season for Bullock, who averaged 9.5 minutes and 2.2 points per game, his lowest since the 2014–15 season with Phoenix and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Brooklyn finished its season 32–50 after falling at Philadelphia on Sunday 107–58. Neither Cameron Johnson nor Day’Ron Sharpe played. Johnson missed the last two games with a left big toe sprain and Sharpe missed three of the last six games with a wrist injury.
Johnson averaged 13.4 points, his lowest since averaging 12.5 in the 2021–22 season for Phoenix. His 39.1% shooting from 3-point range was his lowest since shooting 34.9 in that same season.
Sharpe averaged 6.8 points and 6.4 rebounds, both career-highs.
Walker Kessler missed the last six Utah Jazz games with a nasal fracture. The Jazz finished 12th in the Western Conference with a 31–51 record. Kessler averaged 8.1 points and 7.5 rebounds, both down from his rookie season, and 2.4 blocks.
None of the four former Tar Heels in the G League made the playoffs.
Pete Nance’s Cleveland Charge finished 11th in the Eastern Conference, and he averaged 13.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. He played in eight games for the Cleveland Cavaliers, with three points and three rebounds in 27 minutes.
The Texas Legends, with Justin Jackson, Theo Pinson and Tony Bradley, finished ninth in the Western Conference.
Jackson, who played one minute over two games for the Minnesota Timberwolves, averaged 19.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 44 G League games.
Pinson averaged 14.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 46 games, while Bradley averaged 14.1 points and 9.4 rebounds in 17 games.
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 — 23 games, 7.0 points, 42.6 FG%, 27.1 3P%, 55.0 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Saturday: Bucks 116, Nets 99 — Didn’t start; 4:55, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, -2
Monday: Wizards 129, Bucks 126 — Didn’t start; 4:54, 0 points, +/- of 0
Wednesday: Bucks 113, Pistons 109 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Friday: 76ers 116, Bucks 101 — Didn’t start; 0:50, 1 assist, +2
Saturday: Pistons 124, Bucks 112 — Didn’t start; 4:46, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, +13
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Boston
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 Jeremy Sochan
Season statistics — 21 games, 13.2 points, 48.7 FG%, 42.5 3P%, 87.4 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Sunday: Timberwolves 125, Spurs 112 — Started; 28:38, 5 points, 2–9 FG, 1–4 3FG, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -6
Tuesday: Spurs 126, Grizzlies 119 — Started; 35:46, 31 points, 10–20 FG, 7–12 3FG, 4–5 FT, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +9
Wednesday: Spurs 114, Magic 112 — Started; 28:39, 7 points, 3–7 FG, 1–3 3FG, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -13
Next game — 8 p.m. Monday at New Orleans
Tony Bradley, Indiana Pacers center
Age 27 | 6–10, 248 | seventh pro season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string center behind Isaiah Jackson and Jay Huff
Season statistics — 21 games, 4.9 points, 58.6 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 72.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Saturday: Pacers 103, Bulls 101 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Monday: Cavaliers 135, Pacers 119 — Didn’t start; 6:44, 6 points, 3–6 FG, 1 rebound, +2
Wednesday: Nuggets 135, Pacers 120 — Didn’t start; 13:37, 7 points, 1–2 FG, 5–6 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -10
Friday: Pacers 120, Bulls 105 — Didn’t start; 1:14, 2 points, 1–1 FT, 1 rebound, +/- of 0
Next game — 7 p.m. Monday vs. Sacramento
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 Bruce Brown
Season statistics — 21 games, 11.3 points, 45.9 FG%, 40.4 3P%, 80.5 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Saturday: Nuggets 130, Suns 112 — Started; 34:59, 15 points, 5–9 FG, 3–6 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, +11
Monday: Mavericks 131, Nuggets 121 — Started; 36:19, 10 points, 3–10 FG, 1–6 3FG, 3–4 FT, 1 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnovers, 2 fouls -14
Wednesday: Nuggets 135, Pacers 120 — Started; 33:42, 9 points, 3–7 FG, 2–3 3FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, +16
Friday: Nuggets 134, Hawks 133 — Started; 34:44, 16 points, 6–14 FG, 4–9 3FG, 0–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, +15
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday at Charlotte
Caleb Love,Portland Trail Blazers guard
Age 24 | 6–3, 212 | Rookie season | Two-way contract | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Season statistics — 15 games, 8.3 points, 32.8 FG%, 27.4 3P%, 78.6 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Sunday: Thunder 123, Blazers 115 — Didn’t start; 19:12, 12 points, 4–12 FG, 2–8 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 assists, 2 steals, 2 fouls, +3
Tuesday: Raptors 121, Blazers 118 — Didn’t start; 12:12, 5 points, 2–6 FG, 1–5 3FG, 1 assist, 1 foul, -14
Wednesday: Blazers 122, Cavaliers 110 — Didn’t start; 27:25, 20 points, 7–15 FG, 4–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, +8
Friday: Pistons 122, Blazers 116 — Didn’t start; 11:55, 0 points, 0–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -18
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday at Memphis
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 20 | 6–5, 195 | Rookie season | 4-year NBA rookie contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 16 games, 6.3 points, 48.0 FG%, 36.4 3FG%, 94.4 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Nov. 29: Bucks 116, Nets 99 — Didn’t start; 20:44, 3 points, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3–3 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist ,1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +7
Monday: Nets 116, Hornets 103 — Didn’t start; 23:56, 10 points, 4–8 FG, 2–5 3FG, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +5
Wednesday: Nets 113, Bulls 103 — Didn’t start; 13:22, 5 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 turnover, +8
Saturday: Nets 119, Pelicans 101 — Didn’t start; 20:34, 3 points, 1–4 FG, 1–3 3FG, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -4
Next game — 8:30 Friday at Dallas
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 — 22 games, 7.0 points, 60.0 FG%, 27.8 3P%, 59.3 FT%, 5.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists
Nov. 29: Bucks 116, Nets 99 — Didn’t start; 23:13, 7 points, 2–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 2–6 FT, 7 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +9
Monday: Nets 116, Hornets 103 — Didn’t start; 14:31, 6 points, 2–4 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, +3
Wednesday: Nets 113, Bulls 103 — Didn’t start; 12:33, 5 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 blocks, +5
Saturday: Nets 119, Pelicans 101 — Didn’t start; 18:49, 16 points, 7–8 FG, 2–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -6
Next game — 8:30 Friday at Dallas
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 — 6 games, 23.8 points, 44.4 FG%, 32.7 3PFG, 79.6 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 0.7 of a steal
Saturday: Pacers 103, Bulls 101, Monday: Magic 125, Bulls 120 and Wednesday: Nets 113, Bulls 103 — Didn’t play (tightness in left calf)
Friday: Pacers 120, Bulls 105 — Started; 26:26, 22 points, 4–14 FG, 1–5 3FG, 9–12 FT, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -1
Next game — 7 p.m. Sunday vs. Golden State
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 — 9 games, 9.6 points, 39.1 FG%, 14.3 3P%, 80.0 FT%, 5.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2.6 steals
Sunday: Greensboro Swarm 124, Capital City 106 — Started; 41 minutes, 4 points, 2–7 FG, 0–4 3FG, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 fouls, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -9
Wednesday: Raptors 905 123, Capital City 104 (road) — Started; 31 minutes, 6 points, 2–8 FG, 0–3 3FG, 1–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 block, -17
Friday: Raptors 905 124, Capital City 120 (road) — Started; 10 points, 5–12 FG, 0–3 3FG, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 3 steals, 1 turnover, 2 blocks, -1
Next game — 1 p.m. Wednesday vs. Maine
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 6 games, 6.0 points, 51.7 FG%, 4–10 3P, 3–5 FT, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.5 of a block
Monday: United States 123, Nicaragua 93 in World Cup qualifying — Didn’t start; 19:04, 7 points, 3–3 FG, 1–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 fouls, 1 block, +17
Friday: Memphis Hustle 124, Birmingham 99 — Didn’t start; 8 points, 3–8 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–3 FT, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, 2 turnovers, 1 block
Next game — 4 p.m. Sunday vs. Texas Legends
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 9 games, 21.7 points, 45.1 FG%, 37.5 3P%, 88.0 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.0 steal
Saturday: San Diego Clippers 124, South Bay 113 — Started in backcourt with Bronny James; 35 minutes, 24 points, 9–20 FG, 4–11 3FG, 2–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -2
Sunday: San Diego Clippers 108, South Bay 107 — Started; 38 minutes, 28 points, 9–22 FG, 3–9 3FG, 4–4 FT, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 foul, 2 steals, 1 turnover, +9
Tuesday: Salt Lake City Stars 136, South Bay Lakers 105 — Started; 32 minutes, 16 points, 5–15 FG, 3–8 3FG, 2–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 fouls, 3 turnovers, -18
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday at Rip City Remix
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 — 5 games, 15.2 points, 50.0 FG%, 35.3 3P%, 58.3 FT%, 11.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.4 steals
Sunday: Austin 110, Oklahoma City Blue 96 — Didn’t play
Next game — 9 p.m. Monday at Mexico City Capitanes
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Season statistics — 6 games, 20.0 points, 60.8 FG%, 45.2 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 blocks
Sunday: Noblesville Boom 111, Wisconsin 109 — 32 minutes, 11 points, 5–11FG, 4–8 3FG, 0–1 FT, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, +6
Wednesday: Wisconsin 114, Motor City Cruise 112 — 24 points, 10–15 FG, 1–4 3FG, 0–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers, 3 blocks, +1
Friday in NBA: 76ers 116, Bucks 101 — 0:50, +2
Saturday in NBA: Pistons 124, Bucks 112 — 4:46, 3 points, 1–3 FG, 1–3 3FG, 1 rebound, +13
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday at Noblesville Boom, ESPN+
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 2 games, 19.5 points, 58.3 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 4–4 FT, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steal
Sunday: Noblesville Boom 111, Wisconsin 109 — Inactive for game
Wednesday: Wisconsin 114, Motor City Cruise 112 — Didn’t play
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday at Noblesville Boom, ESPN+
Photo via @chicagobulls
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