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 — 26 games, 6.8 points, 42.8 FG%, 28.5 3P%, 59.1 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists
Team record: 12–18, 11th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Timberwolves 103, Bucks 100 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Tuesday: Bucks 111, Pacers 94 — 1:14, 3 points, 1–1 FG, 1–1 3FG, +2
Next game — 8 p.m. Friday at Memphis
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 — 29 games, 12.9 points, 47.4 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 88.3 FT%, 3.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 22–7, 2nd 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
Sunday: Spurs 124, (at) Wizards 113 — Started; 25:56, 14 points, 5–11 FG, 2–6 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 2 assist, 1 foul, +5
Tuesday: Spurs 130, Thunder 110 — Started; 25:45, 20 points, 6–9 FG, 2–3 3FG, 6–6 FT, 1 rebound, 1 steal, +12
Next game — 2:30 Thursday at Oklahoma City, ESPN
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 — 24 games, 4.5 points, 56.8 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 74.2 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Team record: 6–24, 14th in Eastern Conference
Saturday: (at) Pelicans 128, Pacers 109 and Monday: (at) Celtics 103, Pacers 95 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Tuesday: Bucks 111, Pacers 94 — 2:46, -2
Next game — 7:30 Tuesday vs. Milwaukee
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: 21–8, 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
Monday: Nuggets 135, Jazz 112 — Started; 29:10, 20 points, 6–9 FG, 6–6 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, +31
Tueday: Mavericks 131, Nuggets 130 — Started; 23:53, 8 points, 3–7 FG, 2–3 3FG, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, -12
Next game — 10:30 Thursday vs. Minnesota, ABC, ESPN
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 — 22 games, 7.9 points, 34.4 FG%, 26.1 3P%, 78.9 FT%, 2.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 12–18, 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
Monday: Pistons 110, Blazers 102 — Didn’t start; 18:03, 5 points, 1–5 FG, 0–3 3FG, 3–4 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -2
Tuesday: Magic 110, Blazers 106 — Didn’t start; 33:31, 17 points, 7–13 FG, 3–8 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, season-high 3 blocks (had none beforehand), 3 fouls, +2
Next game — 1 p.m. Friday vs. Los Angeles Clippers, Prime Video
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: 9–19, 13th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Nets 96, Raptors 81 and Tuesday: Nets 96, Raptors 81— Didn’t play (ankle injury)
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday at Minnesota
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 — 27 games, 7.1 points, 59.8 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 65.2 FT%, 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 9–19, 13th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Nets 96, Raptors 81 — Didn’t start; 20:24, 8 points, 3–4 FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, -1
Tuesday: Nets 96, Raptors 81 — 20:44, 9 points (just missed second double-double of season), 3–5 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2–2 FT, 11 rebounds, 6 assists (ties career-high), 1 steal, 3 fouls, +16
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday at Minnesota
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 — 13 games, 21.4 points, 44.8 FG%, 31.9 3PFG, 79.6 FT%, 3.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists
Team record: 14–15, 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
Sunday: Bulls 152, (at) Hawks 150 — Started; 31:04, 21 points, 6–13 FG, 3–7 3FG, 6–10 FT, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, +4
Tuesday: Bulls 126, (at) Hawks 123 — Started; 31:10, 24 points, 7–13 FG, 5–10 3FG, 5–6 FT, 4 assists, 3 steals, 7 turnovers, 3 fouls, +7
Next game — 7:30 Friday vs. Philadelphia, Prime Video
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, 10.7 points, 44.4 FG%, 26.7 3P%, 70.6 FT%, 6.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.7 steals
Team record: 1–1, tied for 4th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 6–8, fifth in East Division
Saturday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: Capital City 125, Oklahoma City Blue 86 — Started; 28 minutes, 8 points, 3–6 FG, 2–3 3FG, 4 assists, 1 foul, 1 turnover, +31
Monday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: Sioux Falls Skyforce 116, Capital City 103 — Started; 32 minutes, 11 points, 3–8 FG, 3–6 3FG, 1–1 FT, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 2 turnovers, -10
Next game — 3 p.m. Saturday at Capital City Skyhawks
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: 1–1, tied for 4th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 5–7, seventh in South 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
Sunday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: Birmingham 125, Valley Suns 121 — Didn’t start; 6 points, 1–2 FG, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 foul, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +9
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday 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 1st in Western Conference; finished Showcase Cup 7–7, fifth in West Division
Saturday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: South Bay 130, Sioux Falls Skyforce 106 — Didn’t start, 26 minutes, 16 points, 4–8 FG, 2–5 3FG, 3–5 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 2 steals, +20
Sunday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: South Bay 131, Wisconsin Herd 119 — Didn’t start, 30 minutes, 25 points, 9–15 FG, 3–6 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, +21
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday at Oklahoma City Blue
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: 0–2, tied for 12th in Western Conference; finished Showcase Cup 12–2, first in South Division
Friday in quarterfinals of the Winter Showcase Cup in Orlando: Stockton Kings 119, Austin 117, OT — Didn’t start; 35 minutes, 11 points, 5–11 FG, 1–3 3FG, 0–1 FT, 10 rebounds, 2 fouls, -11
Friday Winter Showcase: Maine Celtics 123, Austin 114 — Started; 18 points, 5–9 FG, 1–3 3FG, 4–6 FT, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 foul, 1 steal, -12
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday vs. Mexico City Capitanes
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: 0–1, tied for 14th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 4–10, eighth in Central Division
Sunday: South Bay Lakers 131, Wisconsin 119 and Monday: Rio Grande 118, Wisconsin 103, both at Winter Showcase in Orlando — Inactive for both games
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday at Grand Rapids Gold
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: 0–2, tied for 12th in Western Conference; finished Showcase Cup 4–10, eighth in Central Division
Sunday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: South Bay Lakers 131, Wisconsin 119 — Started; 32 minutes, 22 points, 8–15 FG, 2–8 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 fouls, 6 steals, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +8
Monday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: Rio Grande 118, Wisconsin 103 — Started; 28 minutes, 17 points, 7–11 FG, 3–5 3FG, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, -6
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday at Grand Rapids Gold
Photo via @chicagobulls
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