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.
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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.
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 34 | 6–7, 225 | 15th season | $8 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Reserve forward
Final statistics last season — 77 games, 9.9 points, 45.6 FG%, 38.8 3P%, 82.9 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Team record last season: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Preseason opener — Hawks 123, Spurs 116 (Thursday at home) | didn’t start: 16:30, 7 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +3
Next exhibition — 10:30 Saturday at Phoenix, ESPN2
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock
Leaky Black, Sacramento Kings guard
Age 27 | 6–6, 209 | 4th season | $2.45 million salary | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
Final G League statistics last season (Capital City) — 38 games, 10.3 points, 45.6 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals
Final NBA statistics last season (Wizards) — 15 games, 7.1 points, 38.8 FG%, 34.5 3FG%, 87.5 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals
Preseason opener — Lakers 127, Kings 103 (Monday at home) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Thursday — Lakers 114, Kings 110 (road) | didn’t start: 10:45, 4 points, 2–2 FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, -3
Next exhibition — 8:30 Saturday at Golden State
Season opener — 10:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Los Angeles Clippers
Tony Bradley, New York Knicks center
Age 28 | 6–10, 248 | 8th pro season | Exhibit 9 contract | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Final statistics last season — 41 games, 4.0 points, 54.7 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Preseason opener — 76ers 120, Knicks 97 (Monday) | didn’t start: 6:05, 2 points, 1–1 FG, -2
Thursday — Wizards 111, Knicks 109 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next exhibition — 7:30 Monday vs. Minnesota, NBATV
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Philadelphia, NBC
RJ Davis, San Antonio Spurs guard
Age 24 (turns 25 Oct. 21) | 6–0, 182 | second season | $1.35 million salary | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season (South Bay) — 49 games, 18.4 points, 46.8 FG%, 42.4 3P%, 86.4 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists
Preseason opener — Hawks 123, Spurs 116 (Thursday at home) | didn’t start: 7:15, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, -8
Next exhibition — 10:30 Saturday at Phoenix, ESPN2
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock
Harrison Ingram, Utah Jazz forward
Age 23 (turns 24 Oct. 21) | 6–6, 230 | second season | $2.45 million salary | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season (Austin) — 40 games, 16.6 points, 49.2 FG%, 34.0 3P%, 62.6 FT%, 12.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists
NBA statistics last season (Spurs) — 7 games, 1.6 points, 83.3 FG%, 1-1 3P
Team record last season: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Preseason opener — Jazz 109, Nuggets 97 (Sunday) | didn’t start: 12:00, 6 points, 3–7 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, two fouls, +1
Tuesday — Nuggets 117, Jazz 106 (home) | didn’t start: 7:35, 7 points, 3–5 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, +5
Next exhibition — 9 p.m. Monday vs. San Antonio
Season opener — 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Phoenix
Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets forward
Age 30 | 6–8, 210 | 8th season | $22.5 million salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of DeMar DeRozan
Final statistics last season — 54 games, 12.2 points, 48.0 FG%, 43.0 3P%, 83.9 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record last season: 54–28, 3rd in Western Conference
Preseason opener — Jazz 109, Nuggets 97 (Sunday) | started: 15:20, 8 points, 3–7 FG, 2–6 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 3 fouls, -7
Tuesday’s exhibition — Nuggets 117, Jazz 106 | started: 15:20, 10 points, 4–7 FG, 2–3 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 fouls, +6
Next exhibition — 9 p.m. Sunday vs. Chicago, ESPN
Season opener — 9:30 Thursday, Oct. 22, at Oklahoma City, ESPN
Walker Kessler, Los Angeles Lakers center
Age 25 | 7–2, 245 | 5th season | $30.11 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Kevon Looney
Final statistics last season (Utah) — 5 games, 14.4 points, 70.3 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks
Preseason opener — Lakers 127, Kings 103 (Monday on road) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision; jammed finger)
Tuesday — Warriors 124, Lakers 98 (road) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision; jammed finger)
Thursday — Lakers 114, Kings 110 (home) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision; jammed finger)
Next exhibition — 10 p.m. Tuesday vs. Golden State, NBATV
Season opener — 10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Golden State, ESPN
Caleb Love, Philadelphia 76ers guard
Age 25 | 6–3, 212 | 2nd season | $678,882 salary | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
NBA season statistics last season — 49 games (limited to 50 under his two-way contract), 10.4 points, 38.8 FG%, 31.8 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists
G League statistics last season — 10 games, 24.7 points, 43.3 FG%, 23.5 3P%, 75.8 FT%, 4.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 3.6 turnovers
Preseason opener — Sixers 120, Knicks 97 (Monday on road) | didn’t start: 23:33, 15 points, 4–10 FG, 3–6 3FG, 4–6 FT, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, +18
Thursday — Nets 114, 76ers 108 (road) | didn’t start: 13:34, 4 points, 2–5 FG, 0–3 3FG, 5 assists, 2 fouls, +2
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Saturday at Boston, NBATV
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at New York, NBC
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | $2.76 million salary | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season— 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
NBA statistics last season — 47 games, 5.4 points, 51.5 FG%, 42.0 3P%, 36.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Preseason opener — Timberwolves 116, Bucks 97 (Monday) | didn’t start: 6:42, 3 points, 1–1 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1 rebound, -4
Wednesday’s exhibition — Bucks 128, Thunder 126 | didn’t start: 12:35, 6 points, 2–5 FG, 2–4 3FG, 5 rebounds, 1 turnovers, 2 fouls, +4
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Sunday at Charlotte
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Washington
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 21 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $3.54 million salary | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup 2 guard behind Egor Demin
Final regular-season NBA statistics — 63 games, 6.5 points, 40.2 FG%, 28.0 3FG%, 89.6 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Final regular-season G League statistics — 5 games, 11.8 points, 44.2 FG%, 36.4 3FG%, 72.7 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Preseason opener — Nets 124, Hornets 90 (Tuesday on road) | didn’t start: 12:32, 9 points, 4–6 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, team-high +20
Thursday — Nets 114, Sixers 108 (home) | didn’t start: 14:26, 4 points, 1–4 FG, 0–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, +3
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Monday at Washington
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Charlotte
Cormac Ryan, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $680,985 salary | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season — 31 games, 20.9 points, 48.8 FG%, 42.2 3P%, 89.0 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals
NBA statistics last season — 11 games, 14.3 points, 52.0 FG%, 45.8 3P%, 92.3 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steal
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Preseason opener — Timberwolves 116, Bucks 97 (Monday) | didn’t play
Wednesday’s exhibition — Bucks 128, Thunder 126 | didn’t start: 11:12, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnovers, 4 fouls, +9
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Sunday at Charlotte
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Washington
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 25 | 6–10, 265 | 6th season | $10 million salary | UNC 2020–22 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Moritz Wagner
Final statistics last season — 62 games, 8.7 points, 60.1 FG%, 23.1 3FG%, 67.8 FT%, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Preseason opener — Nets 124, Hornets 90 (Tuesday on road) | started: 17:56, 8 points, 4–9 FG, 0–2 3FG, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, +19
Thursday — Nets 114, Sixers 108 (home) | didn’t play (left shoulder soreness)
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Monday at Washington
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Charlotte
Coby White, Charlotte Hornets guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 210 | 8th season | $26.81 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting point guard ahead of Dennis Schroder
Statistics last season (Bulls, Hornets) — 50 games, 17.4 points, 44.6 FG%, 36.2 3PFG, 81.7 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Team record: 44–38, 9th in Eastern Conference
Will miss preseason after suffering a left calf strain during training camp
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Brooklyn
Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 20 | 6–10, 215 | Rookie season | $10.28 million salary | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting power forward ahead of Patrick Williams
Statistics last season (UNC) — 24 games, 19.8 points, 57.8 FG%, 25.9 3P%, 71.3 FT%, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.4 blocks
Preseason opener — Bulls 124, Suns 117 (Wednesday) | started: 29:06, team-high 15 points, 6–16 FG, 0–4 3FG, 3–3 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 5 fouls, -3
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Friday vs. Memphis, NBATV (Sunday’s 9 p.m. game at Denver is on ESPN)
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Toronto
Likely out for season
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept.15)
Photo via @BrooklynNets
