By R.L. Bynum
Calf strains delayed the start of Coby White’s season, but he continues to produce big games, including coming through in the clutch Tuesday night in Atlanta in the Chicago Bulls’ fourth consecutive victory.
Meanwhile, Harrison Barnes had a big game as San Antonio knocked off the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder ahead of their nationally televised Christmas Day rematch. In the G League, RJ Davis, Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan had impressive games at the Winter Showcase in Orlando, Fla.
White scored a team-high 24 points, including a free throw, to seal a come-from-behind 126–123 victory at Atlanta. That followed up a 21-point, five-assist game in Sunday’s 152–150 road win over the Hawks.
On Tuesday, after Atlanta’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker tied the game with a layup with 1.9 seconds left, White made a free throw to put the Bulls ahead for good. After White’s free throw, Nikola Vucevic hit two more to push the lead to three. Atlanta’s last-second 3-point attempt missed.
The Bulls trailed by 18 in the second quarter, but White sparked the rally with aggressive drives and timely jumpers. His ability to create offense kept Chicago within striking distance until the fourth-quarter surge.
White’s night wasn’t just about scoring. He added key assists during the Bulls’ decisive 19–6 run in the final minutes, finding Vucevic for a pair of baskets and setting up Josh Giddey, who posted a triple-double with 19 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds.
White’s confidence seems to be growing with each game. He’s averaging a career-high 21.2 points this season, along with 5.2 assists and 3.5 rebounds, while shooting 44%. After missing early games with calf strains, he has scored 20 or more points in four of his last five outings.
That surge comes at a pivotal time. White is in the final season of his $12.9 million contract, and his breakout has made him a hot name in trade chatter ahead of the February deadline. Teams looking for scoring and backcourt depth have taken notice, but White insists he’s focused on the present.
“I feel like I’m in a good rhythm,” White said. “But it’s all about winning. That’s what matters.”
White was 5 of 10 from 3-point range on Tuesday after going 3 of 7 on Sunday. In the Bulls’ 126–125 Friday win at Cleveland, he had 13 points, a season-high nine assists and six rebounds.
Barnes poured in 20 points, knocking down mid-range jumpers and timely 3-pointers as host San Antonio beat the Thunder 130–110.
With the teams set for a Christmas Day clash at 2:30 (ESPN), Barnes emphasized the familiarity built through multiple December battles.
“It’s a great way to keep us sharp,” Barnes said. “When you think of where you want to go, the postseason, we’re on a collision course with this team. It’s good for us to continue to have the opportunity to have this kind of preparation. Obviously, OKC is a good team … it’s a great way to keep us sharp.”
Barnes’ performance reinforced his role as a steady scoring option alongside fellow veterans and rising talents such as Keldon Johnson and Stephon Castle, who poured in 25 and 24 points, respectively.
His big Tuesday performance came after scoring seven points in Friday’s 126–98 win at Atlanta and 14 in Sunday’s 124–113 victory at Washington.
Caleb Love had 17 points and three 3-pointers to help Portland erase a 17-point deficit and briefly lead Tuesday before the Orlando Magic earned a 110–106 road victory. It was the fifth double-figure scoring game of his rookie season and the fifth with at least three 3-pointers.
Love played 33½ minutes on Tuesday after combining for 27½ minutes and seven points in Portland’s two other games in the last week.
In the G League, Davis continues to produce impressive games for the South Bay Lakers.
In the Winter Showcase last weekend in Orlando, he collected 25 points, three 3-pointers, nine assists, four rebounds and two steals in Sunday’s 131–119 victory over the Wisconsin Herd. On Saturday, he had 16 points, two 3-pointers, four assists and three rebounds in a 130–106 win over the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
In his Wisconsin team’s loss to Davis’ Lakers on Sunday, Ryan had 22 points, six assists, six steals and three rebounds. In Monday’s 118–103 loss to Rio Grande, Ryan contributed 17 points, four assists and three rebounds. Pete Nance was inactive for the Herd’s games in Orlando.
Ingram had a double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds) in the Austin Spurs’ 119–117 overtime loss Friday to the Stockton Kings. In Sunday’s 123–114 loss to the Maine Celtics, he collected 18 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Elsewhere among former UNC players in the NBA last week:
— Cameron Johnson bounced back from a rough night in Denver’s 115–101 loss to Houston (6 points) on Saturday with a season-best shooting display in Monday’s 135–112 victory over Utah, scoring 20 points and making all six 3-point attempts. He scored eight points in Tuesday’s 131–130 loss to Dallas ahead of Thursday’s nationally televised 10:30 home game against Minnesota (ABC, ESPN). He suffered a bone bruise in his right knee in the fourth quarter on Tuesday, though. Although an MRI showed no structural damage, he is expected to miss some games.
— Cole Anthony had three points, making a 3-pointer in his only shot, in just over a minute during Milwaukee’s 111–94 road win Tuesday over Indiana after not playing (coach’s decision) in Sunday’s loss to Minnesota.
—Day’Ron Sharpe nearly posted his second double-double of the season Tuesday with nine points and 11 rebounds in Brooklyn’s 114–106 win Tuesday at Philadelphia. He tied his career-high with six assists. In the Nets’ 96–81 Sunday win over Toronto, he collected eight points, four assists and three rebounds.
—Drake Powell missed both Brooklyn games this week, recovering from his third ankle injury of the season.
—After not playing (coach’s decision) in Indiana’s previous two games, Tony Bradley played nearly three scoreless minutes in Indiana’s Tuesday loss to Milwaukee.
Elsewhere in the G League:
—Leaky Black had 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists in the Capital City Go-Go’s 116–103 Monday loss to the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He had eight points and four assists in Saturday’s 125–96 win over the Oklahoma City Blue.
—Garrison Brooks had six points, five assists and two rebounds in Birmingham’s 125–121 Sunday win over the Valley Suns after going scoreless with six rebounds and two assists in Saturday’s 117–101 loss to the Iowa Wolves.
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: 31–21, 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
Wednesday: 141–137 OT win with Milwaukee vs. New Orleans — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Wednesday: 101–97 loss with Phoenix vs. Golden State — Not yet with team
Next game — 9 p.m. Saturday vs. Philadelphia
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 — 51 games, 10.6 points, 43.9 FG%, 37.2 3P%, 85.7 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 35–16, 2nd in Western Conference
Wednesday: 116–106 win vs. Oklahoma City —Didn’t start; 29:33, 9 points, 3–9 FG, 2–7 3FG, 1–2 FT, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, +/- of 0
Thursday: 135–123 win at Dallas — Started; 34:23, 19 points (most points since scoring 20 on Dec. 23 against Oklahoma City), 5–7 FG, 5–7 3FG, 4–4 FT, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, +8
Next game — 8:30 Thursday at Dallas
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: 13–38, 15th in Eastern Conference
Last 10-day contract expires; could return to Pacers after trade deadline
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: 33–19, 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 — 43 games, 11.1 points, 39.1 FG%, 32.1 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists
Team record: 23–28, 10th in Western Conference
Tuesday: 130–125 loss vs. Phoenix — Didn’t start; 8:20, 0 points, 0–2 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 turnover, -2
Next game — 10 p.m. Friday vs. Memphis
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 — 18 games, 4.3 points, 58.2 FG%, 48.3 3P%, 2.0 rebounds, 0.4 of an assist
Team record: 20–29, 12th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 win vs. Chicago — 27:14, season-high 15 points, 6–8 FG, 3–5 3FG, season-high 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, +19
Wednesday: 141–137 OT win vs. New Orleans — 18:49; 16 points, 6–9 FG, 4–7 3FG, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, +4
Next game — 8 p.m. Friday vs. Indiana
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 — 38 games, 6.1 points, 44.2 FG%, 30.8 3FG%, 91.3 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Team record: 13–37, 14th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 125–109 loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers — Didn’t start; 3:42, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -6
Thursday: 118–98 loss at Orlando — Didn’t start; 18:59, 6 points, 3–9 FG, 0–4 3FG, 0–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -2
Next game — 3 p.m. Saturday vs. Washington
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 — 48 games, 8.1 points, 60.8 FG%, 22.6 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 6.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 13–37, 14th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 125–109 loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers — Didn’t start; 25:43, 19 points, 9–12 FG,1–1 FT, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 1 turnovers, 4 fouls, +14; third double-double of season
Thursday: 118–98 loss at Orlando — Didn’t start; 13:10, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, -6
Next game — 3 p.m. Saturday vs. Washington
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: 23–28, 11th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 loss with Chicago at Milwaukee — Started; 30:20, 21 points, 7–17 FG, 2–8 3FG, 5–7 FT, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, -15
Thursday: 109–99 win with Charlotte at Houston — Didn’t play
Next game — 7:30 Saturday at Atlanta
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 — 29 games, 10.8 points, 46.4 FG%, 36.2 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.0 steals
Wednesday: 124–111 loss vs. South Bay Lakers — Started; 33 minutes, 17 points 5–8 FG, 5–7 3FG, 1–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 5 fouls, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -6
Next game — 11 a.m. Friday vs. South Bay Lakers
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
Wednesday: 115–97 win vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce, Friday: 124–111 loss at Noblesville Boom and Sunday: 125–109 loss at Noblesville Boom— Inactive for all three games
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday at Capital City Go-Go
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 29 games, 19.3 points, 44.6 FG%, 40.9 3P%, 87.3 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Monday: 137–133 loss at Osceola Magic — Started; 31 minutes, 17 points, 6–15 FG, 2–6 3FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 5 turnovers, -6
Wednesday: 124–111 win at Capital City Go-Go — Started; 31 minutes, 25 points, 9–15 FG, 3–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 fouls, 2 turnovers, +7
Next game — 11 a.m. Friday at Capital City Go-Go
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 — 21 games, 14.6 points, 47.4 FG%, 29.6 3P%, 60.0 FT%, 11.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Wednesday: 104–95 win vs. Texas Legends — Started; 37 minutes, 8 points, 3–12 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1–2 FT, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 fouls, 5 turnovers, +16
Next game — 9 p.m. Saturday at Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Prime Video
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 24 games, 20.0 points, 49.3 FG%, 41.6 3P%, 91.1 FT%, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals
Thursday: 105–103 loss at Delaware Blue Coats — Started; 30 minutes, 23 points, 8–14 FG, 4–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, -1
Next game — 6 p.m. Saturday at Delaware Blue Coats
Photo via @chicagobulls
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