By R.L. Bynum
While it’s been a frustrating start for Cam Johnson with his new team in Denver, there have been some outstanding games during the first week of the season from Cole Anthony, Harrison Barnes, Walker Kessler and Day’Ron Sharpe.
Johnson came out of Monday night’s game with right shoulder soreness with five points and five fouls in nearly 19 minutes of the Nuggets’ 127–114 win. There was already frustration since he’s averaging only 8.3 points while shooting 36.4% from the floor and 25% from 3-point range.
“He was in pain. His shoulder was hurting him,” Denver coach David Adelman said, according to The Denver Post. “I don’t think it’s extremely serious, but it was bothersome. To his credit, he came back out and tried to play. Cam struggled a little bit tonight physically.”
Johnson was obviously frustrated by some of the fouls he drew, particularly the one against Dillon Brooks, who flopped.
Another Tar Heel with a new team, Milwaukee guard Cole Anthony, had a terrific game Friday, collecting 23 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals with a 21.9 game score in the Bucks’ 122–116 victory over the Raptors.
Anthony was sick and missed Sunday’s 118–113 game.
Barnes shook off his early struggles for San Antonio on Monday night with 18 points, four 3-pointers and five assists in their 121–103 victory over the Toronto Raptors as the Spurs moved to 4–0 for the first time since 2017. That came after combining for 18 points in the first three games on 2 of 11 shooting from 3-point range.
Kessler registered his first double-double of the season in Monday’s 138–134 overtime win over Phoenix with 25 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks and four assists. He had 22 points and four blocks in Wednesday’s 129–108 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Sharpe had his second double-figure scoring game of the season and first double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds in Monday’s 137–109 Brooklyn loss to the Houston Rockets. He’s shooting 80% from the floor and averaging 5.3 rebounds.
Tony Bradley had his best game on Sunday with 12 points and five rebounds in the Indiana Pacers’ 114–110 loss to Minnesota.
Chicago Bulls guard Coby White missed the entire preseason and is expected to miss at least another week while recovering from a strained calf.
Get a rundown on the former UNC players, including Drake Powell, in G League training camps here.
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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 — 33 games, 7.0 points, 44.6 FG%, 32.8 3P%, 61.5 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Team record: 18–27, 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 asisst, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -17
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday at Washington, Prime Video
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 — 46 games, 10.6 points, 43.3 FG%, 35.9 3P%, 87.3 FT%, 2.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 31–15, 2nd in Western Conference
Tuesday: (at) Rockets 111, Spurs 105— Started; 24:37, 6 points, 2–6 FG, 2–5 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, -2
Thursday: Spurs 126, (at) Jazz 109 — Started; 21:51, 2 points, 1–5 FG, 0–4 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, -5
Sunday: Pelicans 104, Spurs 95 — Started; 19:02, 5 points, 1–2 FG, 1–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 3 assist, -9
Next game — 9:30 Wednesday at Houston, 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 — 38 games, 4.0 points, 55.7 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Team record: 12–36, 14th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: 113–110 win vs. Chicago — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday vs. Atlanta
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: 31–16, 3rd in Western Conference
Out for at least a month with a bone bruise and hyperextended right knee
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 — 39 games, 11.3 points, 39.3 FG%, 32.8 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Team record: 23–24, 9th in Western Conference
Thursday: Blazers 127, Heat 110 — Didn’t start; 33:30, 20 points, 8–19 FG, 4–12 3FG, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, +15
Friday: Raptors 110, Blazers 98 — Didn’t start; 28:41, 11 points, 4–9 FG, 3–6 3FG, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, -1
Monday: (at) Celtics 102, Blazer 94 — Didn’t start; 25:45, 11 points, 5–14 FG, 1–7 3FG, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 turnovers, -1
Next game — 7:30 Friday at New York
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 — 34 games, 6.1 points, 44.0 FG%, 30.6 3FG%, 89.7 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 of a steal
Team record: 12–33, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 106–102 loss at Phoenix — Started; 8:28, 1 turnover, -9
Next game — 9 p.m. Thursday at Denver
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 — 43 games, 7.8 points, 60.3 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 67.3 FT%, 6.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Team record: 12–33, 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
Next game — 9 p.m. Thursday at Denver
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 — 25 games, 19.0 points, 45.7 FG%, 37.0 3PFG, 80.0 FT%, 3.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists
Team record: 23–24, 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
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Miami
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 — 27 games, 11.1 points, 46.2 FG%, 35.1 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.0 steals
Thursday: (at) Austin Spurs 110, Capital City 103 — Started; 37 minutes, 15 points, 6–11 FG, 3–7 3FG, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 fouls, 2 blocks, -4
Friday: Capital City 112, (at) Austin Spurs 96 — Started; 36 minutes, 10 points, 4–11 FG, 2–5 3FG, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 1 block, +24
Next game — 8 p.m. Friday vs. Wisconsin Herd
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
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
Thursday: Cleveland Charge 113, Birmingham 104 — Didn’t start; 17 minutes, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, 1 block, -11
Thursday: Cleveland Charge 120, Birmingham 105 — Didn’t start; 14 minutes, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1 assist, -2
Next game — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 25 games, 17.9 points, 43.3 FG%, 38.5 3P%, 88.2 FT%, 4.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Tuesday: (at) Rio Grande Valley Vipers 126, South Bay 119 — Started; 32 minutes, 24 points, 7–15 FG, 4–7 3FG, 3–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, -14
Thursday: Mexico City Capitanes 123, South Bay 113 — Didn’t start; 33 minutes, 21 points, 7–10 FG, 3–4 3FG, 3–4 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, -4
Saturday: South Bay 125, Mexico City Capitanes 95 — Started; 24 minutes, 10 points, 4–10 FG, 1–5 3FG, 1–1 FT, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 turnovers, +7
Next game — 10 p.m. Tuesday vs. College Park Skyhawks, ESPN+
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 — 19 games, 14.85 points, 48.9 FG%, 30.9 3P%, 62.2 FT%, 11.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Tuesday: Austin 127, (at) Oklahoma City Blue 112 — Started; 34 minutes, 13 points, 6–16 FG, 1–5 3FG, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers, 1 block +4
Thursday: Austin Spurs 110, Capital City 103 — Started; 38 minutes, 11 points, 4–8 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1–3 FT, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, +5
Friday: Capital City 112, Austin Spurs 96 — Started; 37 minutes, 6 points, 2–7 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1–1 FT, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 fouls, 1 turnover, -16
Sunday: Austin Spurs 102, (at) Valley Suns 91 — Started; 40 minutes, 13 points, 5–14 FG, 1–6 3FG, 1–1 FT, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, team-high +22
Next game — 9 p.m. Tuesday at Valley Suns, ESPN+
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd 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 — 15 games, 2.9 points, 54.8 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 1.2 rebounds, 0.3 of an assist
Tuesday in NBA with Bucks: 139–122 loss at Philadelphia — 2:23, 2 points, 1–2 FG, -3
Next game — 2 p.m. Friday at Capital City Go-Go
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 21 games, 20.0 points, 49.5 FG%, 40.4 3P%, 92.5 FT%, 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals
Thursday: Noblesville Boom 95, Wisconsin 90 — Started; 31 minutes, 23 points, 9–12 FG, 5–8 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, -2
Saturday: Noblesville Boom 117, Wisconsin 115 — Started; 37 minutes, 25 points, 8–13 FG, 3–5 3FG, 3–3 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 6 turnovers, -17
Next game — 2 p.m. Friday at Capital City Go-Go
Photo via @spurs
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