Tar Heels in pros; Love on a roll with Blazers; White subject of trade rumors ahead of Thursday deadline

By R.L. Bynum

Caleb Love keeps stacking good games in his rookie season in Portland, including one of his most efficient nights of the season on Sunday.

His former backcourt teammate at UNC, RJ Davis, had a huge week in the G League with 30 points and a triple-double on Thursday and a career-high 45 points on Saturday. Read more about those games here and here.

In the Trail Blazers’ 130–111 loss to Cleveland in their first game after a three-game East Coast road trip, Love scored 21 points and three 3-pointers, shooting 53.3% from the floor and 37.5% from outside the arc, while adding three assists, two rebounds and two steals in 30 minutes.

That was Love’s third time with least 20 points in the last eight games and has eight such games this season.

He’s averaging 11.4 points per game while shooting 39.8% from the floor and 32.3% from 3-point range.

With Coby White the subject of trade rumors ahead of the 3 p.m. Thursday trade deadline, he missed all six 3-point attempts Sunday while scoring 16 points in the Chicago Bulls’ 134–91 loss at Miami.

White, who sat out Saturday’s 125–118 win at Miami for injury management with his right calf issue, scored 14 points in the Bulls’ other two games, both losses.

The Athletic reported, according to one source, the Bulls want a first-round draft pick in a White deal and have had trouble pulling that off because his contract expires at the end of the season. On Saturday, Chicago acquired Dario Šarić and two second-round picks on Saturday in a three-team trade with Sacramento and Cleveland.


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Harrison Barnes continues to struggle to produce offense, and came off the bench for the first time this season in one of San Antonio’s three games. The Spurs went 1–2 on the week, with Barnes combining for 27 points. His 11 points in Saturday’s 111–106 loss at Charlotte was only his second double-figure scoring game in the last 11 games.

Barnes’ 9.2 scoring average is lower than his career-low of 9.5 last season.

Brooklyn went 1–3 on a road trip last week. Drake Powell started one game and combined for 21 points in the four games, topped by 12 points and three rebounds in Sunday’s 130–77 loss at Detroit. Day’Ron Sharpe had 16 points and nine rebounds in Friday’s 109–99 win at Utah, then had eight points and 11 rebounds on Sunday.

Cormac Ryan stayed on a roll in the G League. He had 22 points, four 3-pointers and eight rebounds in Friday’s 124–99 win over the Capital City Go-Go and 16 points and four 3-pointers in Saturday’s 110–98 loss to the Go-Go.

Elsewhere among former UNC players in the last week:
— Harrison Ingram had 15 points and nine rebounds in Thursday’s 119–115 win for his Austin Spurs over the Stockton Kings, and nine points and 12 rebounds in Tuesday’s 116–107 road win over the Valley Suns.
— Cole Anthony combined for 17 points in three Milwaukee games, topped by 10 points in Tuesday’s 139–122 loss at Philadelphia.
— Pete Nance collected 13 points and six rebounds in the Bucks’ 109–99 Thursday loss at Washington and combined for nine points in the other two games.
— Tony Bradley’s 10-day contract with Indiana expired, and he hasn’t re-signed, but could rejoin the Pacers after the trade deadline.
— Leaky Black combined for 15 points and 19 rebounds in two games, just missing a double-double in the Capital City Go-Go’s 110–98 Saturday win over the Wisconsin Herd with nine points and 10 rebounds.
— Garrison Brooks wasn’t active for any of the Birmingham Squadron’s three games last week.

Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 34 | 6–7, 225 | 15th season | $8 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)

Roster situation — Backup small forward
Team record — 11–2; 1st in Western Conference
Season statistics — 11 games, 6.0 points, 42.6 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 80.0 FT%
Friday — Spurs 123, Warriors 85 (home) | didn’t start: 21:19, 11 points, 4–9 FG, 3–6 3FG, 0 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 0 plus/minus, 5.9 game score
Next game — 5 p.m. Sunday at Utah


Season NBA statistics — 6 games, 1 start, 5.8 points, 48.0 FG%, 45.5 3P%, 1–2 FT, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals
Team record — 1–11; 14th in Western Conference
Season NBA statistics — 7 games, 1 start, 5.0 points, 41.4 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 steals
Friday — Trail Blazers 120, Kings 107 (home) | didn’t start: 11:47, 0 points, 0–2 FG, 0–0 3FG, 0 FT, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, −11
Next game — 9 p.m. Sunday vs. Oklahoma City


Tony Bradley, Utah Jazz center
Age 28 | 6–10, 248 | 9th NBA season | $2.44 million salary | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)

Roster situation — Third-string center
Team record — 1–12; 15th in Western Conference
Season statistics — 6 games, 8 points, 3–6 FG, 2–2 FT, 16 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block
Friday — Rockets 125, Jazz 118 (road) | didn’t start: 12:28, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 0 FT, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 turnovers, 4 fouls, −5, 0.3 game score
Next game — 5 p.m. Sunday vs. San Antonio


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
Team record — 6–4; 9th in Western Conference
Season statistics — 7 games, 12.1 points, 50.0 FG%, 43.2 3P%, 5–8 FT, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Wednesday — Nuggets 123, Grizzlies 118 (road) | 23 points, 9–15 FG, 4–7 3FG, 1–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 foul, +3, 20.8 game score
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday at New Orleans


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
Team record — 11–2; 2nd in Western Conference
Season statistics — 13 games, 14.5 points, 67.5 FG%, 61.4 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.2 blocks
Wednesday — Lakers 123, Bucks 112 (road) | started: 29:13, 10 points, 5–10 FG, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, +19, 11.1 game score (double-double)
Next game — 4 p.m. Sunday at Phoenix


Season NBA statistics — 4 games, 8 points, 3–4 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 6 assists
Team record — 3–8; 13th in Eastern Conference
Sunday — Mavericks 130, Nets 93 (road) | didn’t start: 9:25, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, -8
Wednesday — Nets 145, Pelicans 111 (road) | 6 points, 2–2 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, 1 foul, -4, 4.6 game score
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday at Memphis


Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Moritz Wagner
Team record — 3–8; 13th in Eastern Conference
Season statistics — 11 games, 8.2 points, 52.5 FG%, 35.7 3P%, 72.4 FT%, 6.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.5 blocks
Wednesday — Nets 145, Pelicans 111 (road) | 15 points, 5–6 FG, 2–3 3FG, 3–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 4 blocks, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, +20, 18.9 game score
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday at Memphis


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 Schröder
Team record — 4–8; 11th in Eastern Conference
Season statistics — 5 games, 9.8 points, 31.5 FG%, 14.8 3P%, 11–12 FT, 2.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 3.0 turnovers
Thursday — Suns 101, Hornets 96 (road) | started: 19:56, season-high 21 points, 8–16 FG, 2–7 3FG, 3–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 turnovers, 1 foul, −2, 12.0 game score
Next game — 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Los Angeles Clippers


Out at least until early December

Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson | had surgery Nov. 12 to repair fractured right hand | season statistics: 10 games, 18.9 points, 42.0 FG%, 32.4 3P%, 73.2 FT%, 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.9 of a block

Likely out for season

Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar | tore right ACL on Sept. 15


G League statistics last season (South Bay Lakers) — 49 games, 18.4 points, 46.8 FG%, 42.4 3P%, 86.4 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists
Preseason NBA statistics — 3 games, 8.8 minutes, 7 points, 27.3 FG%, 1–4 3FG, 0–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Season statistics — 2 games, 20.0 points, 45.8 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 100 FT%, 1.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.5 steals
Sunday — Austin Spurs 117, Laketown Squadron 110 (home) | didn’t start: 21 points, 7–16 FG, 2–3 3FG, 3–3 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 foul, 3 steals, 1 block, +5
Next game— 4 p.m. Sunday vs. Memphis Hustle


Harrison Ingram, Salt Lake City Stars forward
Age 23 | 6–6, 230 | 3rd pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)

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
Preseason NBA statistics — 4 games, 7.9 minutes, 19 points, 53.3 FG%, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Season statistics — 3 games, 17.0 points, 48.8 FG%, 3–9 3PFG, 3–10 FT, 12.3 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.7 turnovers, 2.2 steals
Tuesday — Rip City Remix 108, Salt Lake City Stars 93 (home) | started: 35 minutes, 12 points, 5–12 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1–4 FT, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 fouls, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, 1 block, -3
Wednesday — Salt Lake City Stars 123, Rip City Remix 102 (home) | started: 25 points, 10–14 FG, 3–4 3FG, 1–2 FT, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, team-high +27
Next game — 9 p.m. Monday at Valley Suns


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 NBA statistics — 4 games, 14.5 minutes, 5.5 points, 25.9 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 55.6 FT%, 1.0 rebound, 3.0 assists, 0.5 of a block
Season NBA statistics — 1 game, 30 seconds, no statistics
Saturday’s opener — Delaware Blue Coats 147, Capital City Go-Go 122 (home) | not active for the game
Next game — 7 p.m. Friday vs. Maine Celtics


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
Preseason NBA statistics — 4 games, 13.0 minutes, 4.0 points, 35.7 FG%, 30.0 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 3.2 rebounds
Season statistics— 2 games, 13.0 points, 52.6 FG%, 36.4 3P%, 2–2 FT, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Sunday — Wisconsin Herd 142, Iowa Wolves 130 (road) | started: 34 minutes, 14 points, 5–12 FG, 3–9 3FG, 1–1 FT, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 fouls, +16
Wednesday in NBA (season NBA debut) — Lakers 123, Bucks 112 (home) | 4:12, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, +3
Next game — 4 p.m. Sunday at Windy City Bulls


Statistics last season (Vanderbilt) — 36 games, 36 starts, 13.5 points, 44.5 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 84.7 FT%, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Preseason NBA statistics — 4 games, 21.1 minutes, 16 points, 4–18 FG, 2–14 3FG, 6–7 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Season statistics— 2 games, 11.5 points, 34.8 FG%, 35.0 3P%, 5.0reboundsm, 4.0 assists, 2.0 steals
Sunday — Maine Celtics 98, Westchester Knicks 93 (road) | started: 38 minutes, 8 points, 3–11 FG, 2–10 3FG, 5 rebounds, 4 assists 3 fouls, 3 steals, 7 turnovers, 1 block, -11
Next game — 3 p.m. Saturday vs. Greensboro Swarm, NBATV


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
Preseason NBA statistics — 3 games, 15.9 minutes, 6.7 points, 46.2 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 57.1 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 of a steal
Season statistics— 2 games, 29.5 points, 75.9 FG%, 88.9 3FG%, 80.0 FT%, 2.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.5 turnovers, 2.0 steals
Sunday — Wisconsin Herd 142, Iowa Wolves 130 (road) | started: 30 minutes, 28 points, 10–13 FG, 1–2 3FG, 4–5 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 fouls, 3 steals, 2 turnovers, 1 block, -1
Next game — 4 p.m. Sunday at Windy City Bulls


Note that G League’s rule allows one made free throw to count for two or three points, which is why totals sometimes don’t appear to add up.


Photo via @trailblazers

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