By R.L. Bynum
Drake Powell hit several injury-related bumps early in his rookie season, but he has settled into a rhythm at both ends of the floor and played his way into the Brooklyn Nets’ starting lineup.
After starting only once in his first 26 NBA games, Powell started three times last week, showing confidence sparked by his defense, energy and increasingly reliable perimeter shooting.
“It’s a lot different from college, you’ve got to show your hands a lot, and that’s something I’ll continue to grow at, to be a good defender in this league,” Powell said, quoted in a New York Post story. “With the more film that I watch and the more games that I play, it’ll just build over time.”
Powell sat out Sunday’s game due to left knee injury management, but his recent performances signal a breakthrough. He scored 16 points with two 3-pointers, five rebounds, two assists and a season‑high 13.9 game score in Wednesday’s 116–113 loss at New Orleans.
Nets coach Jordi Fernàndez praised his trajectory.
“We have high expectations for him,” Fernàndez said Wednesday in that same New York Post story. “We can see a player that not just can develop and play on both ends of the floor, but can be pretty good, so it’s time to see how he does in that situation.”
Powell followed that with 11 points, three 3‑pointers and three assists in Monday’s 126–117 loss to Phoenix.
“I’m very happy with the way he’s played,” Fernàndez said. “If he keeps playing hard, we want to see that growth, same as everybody else. That goes for the rookies, that goes for everybody. Keep working, keep getting better. The opportunity is there, and you got to take advantage of it.”
Nets teammate Day’Ron Sharpe also produced strong outings, starting Wednesday, when he finished with 15 points and nine rebounds. He added 14 points and six rebounds in Friday’s 112–109 win over Chicago (when Powell was held to three points) before scoring five on Sunday. He then missed Monday’s game with a throat contusion.
Coby White continued his momentum with two standout performances over the weekend with 17 points, two 3‑pointers, four assists and two steals in Friday’s loss at Brooklyn, and 24 points, seven 3‑pointers, four rebounds and three assists in Sunday’s 124–102 home win over the Nets.
That came after White sat out Tuesday’s game for injury management, then posted six points, seven rebounds and seven assists in Wednesday’s 128–126 win over Utah.
With Portland point guard Deni Avdija sidelined by lower back soreness, Caleb Love earned his first NBA start in Tuesday’s 119–97 loss at Golden State.
Love responded with 17 points, two 3‑pointers, a career‑high seven assists and two steals. Returning to the bench for Portland’s other games last week, Love shone in Saturday’s 132–116 win over the Lakers with 22 points, four 3‑pointers and another seven-assist game. He added 12 points, two 3‑pointers and four assists in Thursday’s 117–101 win over Atlanta, and six points in Monday’s 117–110 win over Sacramento.
Milwaukee’s Cole Anthony saw action for the first time since Dec. 26 after eight straight “DNP–coach’s decision” listings. He combined for over 23 minutes and 11 points in Milwaukee losses on Tuesday and Thursday before again not playing (coach’s decision) in Monday’s 112–110 win over Atlanta.
After scoring a career‑high 42 points the previous week for the Wisconsin Herd, Pete Nance appeared in three Bucks games and totaled 12 points.
Cormac Ryan stayed hot for Wisconsin, posting games of 14, 10 and 25 points with six combined 3‑pointers; he’s now averaging 19.3 points and shooting 38.3% from deep.
RJ Davis had an even bigger week in the G League, delivering 28 points and six 3‑pointers in the South Bay Lakers’ 120–115 win over the San Diego Clippers on Wednesday, then following that with 27 points, four 3‑pointers, eight assists and seven rebounds in Saturday’s win over the same opponent. He’s averaging 17.7 points and shooting 36.1% from three.
Leaky Black turned in a strong four‑game stretch for the Capital City Go‑Go, highlighted by 20 points and six 3‑pointers in Wednesday’s 104–101 loss to Long Island.
Black, who’s averaging 10.8 points and 7.0 rebounds, added 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three 3‑pointers in Thursday’s loss to Raptors 905. He followed that with a 15‑point, 12‑rebound double‑double, including three 3‑pointers, in Monday’s 113–102 win at Texas.
Harrison Ingram posted two double‑doubles in the Austin Spurs’ road wins over the Salt Lake City Stars, recording 14 points and 14 rebounds on Tuesday and 15 points and 13 rebounds on Wednesday. Ingram, averaging 15.9 points and 11.5 rebounds, added three assists in both games.
Elsewhere around the NBA and G League last week:
— Harrison Barnes totaled 23 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists across three San Antonio wins and is averaging 11.0 points.
— Tony Bradley scored 12 points in Indiana’s 121–78 loss to Detroit and added 13 across the Pacers’ three other games.
— Denver’s Cameron Johnson remains out with a bone bruise and right knee hyperextension, with a return expected no earlier than next month.
— Garrison Brooks appeared in three of Birmingham’s four games, scoring 12 points in one and seven combined in the others.
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 — 29 games, 6.4 points, 42.9 FG%, 29.1 3P%, 59.1 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists
Team record: 18–24, 11th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: Timberwolves 139, Bucks 106 — 9:11, 4 points, 2–5 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +1
Thursday: (at) Spurs 119, Bucks 101 — 13:55, 7 points, 3–6 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 2 turnovers, +7
Monday: Bucks 112, (at) Hawks 110 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 9:30 Wednesday vs. Oklahoma City, ESPN
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 — 43 games, 11.0 points, 43.7 FG%, 36.3 3P%, 87.0 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 30–13, 2nd in Western Conference
Tuesday: (at) Thunder 119, Spurs 98 — Started; 23:40, 2 points, 1–7 FG, 0–5 3FG, 1 assist, 1 block, 2 fouls, -1
Thursday: Spurs 119, Bucks 101 — Started; 16:18, 6 points, 2–5 FG, 2–4 3FG, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +25
Saturday: Spurs 126, Timberwolves 123 — Started; 28:56, 7 points, 3–7 FG, 2–6 3FG, 8 rebounds, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +2
Monday: Spurs 123, Jazz 110 — Started; 22:24, 10 points, 4–7 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1–1 FT, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 1 block, 1 foul, +17
Next game — 8 p.m. Tuesday at Houston, 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 — 36 games, 4.1 points, 57.4 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 74.4 FT%, 2.9 rebounds
Team record: 8–34, 15th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: Raptors 115, Pacers 101 — 19:36, 2 points, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, +3
Friday: Pacers 127, Pelicans 119 — 18:45, 3 points, 1–4 FG, 1–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 1 foul, -5
Saturday: (at) Pistons 121, Pacers 78 — 17:42, 12 points, 5–6 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -11
Monday: (at) Sixers 113, Pacers 104 — 18:00, 8 points, 4–5 FG, 7 rebounds, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +5
Next game — 7:30 Wednesday at Boston
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: 28–13, 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 — 36 games, 11.1 points, 39.1 FG%, 32.9 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists
Team record: 22–22, 9th in Western Conference
Tuesday: (at) Warriors 119, Blazers 97 — Started (Avdija was out with lower back soreness; Love’s 1st career start); 33:55, 17 points, 5–16 FG, 2–9 3FG, 5–8 FT, 3 rebounds, career-high 7 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 4 turnovers, 2 fouls, -14
Thursday: Blazers 117, Hawks 101 — Didn’t start; 25:39, 12 points, 5–12 FG, 2–6 3FG, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, 1 foul, +6
Saturday: Blazers 132, Lakers 116 — Didn’t start; 31:22, 22 points, 8–15 FG, 4–8 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 7 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnover, +23
Monday: Blazers 117, (at) Kings 110 — Didn’t start; 21:41, 6 points, 3–10 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +14
Next game — 10 p.m. Thursday vs. Miami
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 — 30 games, 6.4 points, 46.0 FG%, 32.4 3FG%, 88.2 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 of a steal
Team record: 12–29, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: (at) Pelicans 116, Nets 113 — Started; 24:12, 16 points, 6–10 FG, 2–5 3FG, 2–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, +5, season-high 13.9 game score
Friday: Nets 112, Bulls 109 — Started; 24:26, 3 points, 1–7 FG, 1–4 3FG, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +1
Sunday: (at) Bulls 124, Nets 102 — Didn’t play (knee injury)
Monday: Suns 126, Nets 117 — Started; 24:47, 11 points, 4–7 FG, 3–6 3FG, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -18
Next game — 7:30 Wednesday at New York
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 — 39 games, 7.9 points, 61.2 FG%, 21.4 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 6.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 12–29, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: (at) Pelicans 116, Nets 113 — Started; 19:09, 15 points, 7–9 FG, 1–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 foul, -5
Friday: Nets 112, Bulls 109 — Started; 18:58, 14 points, 6–8 FG, 2–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, -4
Sunday: (at) Bulls 124, Nets 102 — Didn’t start; 19:24, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -18
Monday: Suns 126, Nets 117 — Didn’t play (throat contusion)
Next game — 7:30 Wednesday at New York
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 — 21 games, 18.1 points, 45.3 FG%, 33.8 3PFG, 78.3 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists
Team record: 20–22, 9th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: (at) Rockets 119, Bulls 113 — Didn’t play; injury management for right calf injury
Wednesday: Bulls 128, Jazz 126 — Started; 6 points, 2–7 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1–2 FT, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 block, 5 turnover, 3 fouls, -11
Friday: (at) Nets 112, Bulls 109 — Started; 33:04, 17 points, 7–15 FG, 2–7 3FG, 1–3 FT, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, -5
Sunday: Bulls 124, Nets 102 — Started; 24 points, 8–14 FG, 7–11 3FG, 1–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +16
Next game — 8 p.m. Tuesday vs. Los Angeles Clippers
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 — 24 games, 10.8 points, 45.7 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.2 steals
Wednesday: Long Island Nets 104, Capital City 101 — Started; 41 minutes, 20 points, 7–10 FG, 6–7 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnovers, 1 block, +2
Thursday: Raptors 905 115, Capital City 104 — Started; 35 minutes, 17 points, 7–12 FG, 3–3 3FG, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, +/- of 0
Saturday: Capital City 101, Raptors 905 95 — Started; 40 minutes, 2 points, 1–8 FG, 0–3 3FG, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 fouls, 4 steals, +13
Monday: Capital City 113, (at) Texas Legends 102 — Started; 15 points, 6–10 FG, 3–6 3FG, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 2 blocks, +13
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday at Austin Spurs, ESPN+
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 21 games, 5.4 points, 44.9 FG%, 36.7 3P%, 62.5 FT%, 5.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.3 of a block
Tuesday: Raptors 905 99, Birmingham 98 — 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–1 3FG, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -6
Thursday: Motor City Cruise 109, Birmingham 94 — 20 minutes, 5 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, 1 turnovers, 1 block, -6
Saturday: Motor City Cruise 127, Birmingham 103 — inactive for game
Monday: Greensboro Swarm 116, Birmingham 114 — Didn’t start; 12 points, 2–5 FG, 2–3 3FG, 3–3 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 foul, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 blocks, =18
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Cleveland Charge, ESPN+
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 18 games, 17.7 points, 43.2 FG%, 36.1 3P%, 88.2 FT%, 4.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Wednesday: South Bay 120, San Diego Clippers 115 — Started; 36 minutes, 28 points, 8–15 FG, 6–8 3FG, 4–5 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 foul, 1 turnover, +12
Saturday: South Bay 120, San Diego Clippers 115 — Started; 35 minutes, 27 points, 9–20 FG, 4–10 3FG, 3–3 FT, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 7 turnovers, +/- of 09
Next game — 8 p.m. Tuesday at Rio Grande Valley Vipers
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 — 15 games, 15.9 points, 51.7 FG%, 34.0 3P%, 62.5 FT%, 11.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Tuesday: Austin 118, (at) Salt Lake City Stars 113 — Started; 33 minutes, 14 points, 6–13 FG, 2–4 3FG, 0–1 FT, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 foul, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, +8
Thursday: Austin 121, (at) Salt Lake City Stars 118 — Started; 33 minutes, 15 points, 6–11 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1–1 FT, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 foul, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +4
Next game — 8 p.m. Tuesday at Oklahoma City, 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 — 12 games, 2.5 points, 57.1 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 1.0 rebound, 0.3 of an assist
Tuesday in NBA with Bucks: Timberwolves 139, Bucks 106 — 9:11, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +1
Thursday in NBA with Bucks: (at) Spurs 119, Bucks 101 — 13:55, 2 points, 1–1 FG, 1 rebound, 1 block, +6
Monday in NBA: Bucks 112, (at) Hawks 110 — 15:04, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 foul, +13
Next game — 12:30 Thursday vs Noblesville Boom
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 18 games, 19.3 points, 47.8 FG%, 38.3 3P%, 91.3 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.7 steals
Wednesday: Maine Celtics 114, Wisconsin 106 — Started; 40 minutes, 25 points, 10–22 FG, 2–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, -1
Friday: Maine Celtics 114, Wisconsin 106 — Started; 35 minutes, 14 points, 3–12 FG, 1–7 3FG, 3–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 foul, 1 turnover, +4
Saturday: Westchester Knicks 104, Wisconsin 94 — Started; 22 minutes, 10 points, 4–8 FG, 2–3 3FG, 1 foul, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, -18
Monday: Wisconsin 114, Westchester Knicks 103— Started; 25 minutes, 25 points, 7–15 FG, 3–7 3FG, 4–4 FT, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +22
Next game — 12:30 Thursday vs Noblesville Boom
Photo via @BrooklynNets
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