By R.L. Bynum
With Roy Williams watching on Saturday, Coby White scored 20 points in his home debut with the Charlotte Hornets during a week when Harrison Barnes’ consecutive games streak ended, Cameron Johnson got hurt, Drake Powell headed to the G League, Cormac Ryan got a two-way contract and Cole Anthony got waived.
White had two 3-pointers and three rebounds in Charlotte’s 109–93 victory after collecting seven points and six assists in Thursday’s 133–109 win at Indiana. In a precautionary move, White sat out Tuesday’s 117–90 home win over Dallas with a strained left calf.
Barnes had his streak of 364 consecutive games played snapped Tuesday when he missed San Antonio’s 131–91 win at Philadelphia with a sore left ankle. It ended what was the second-longest active streak behind Mikal Bridges’ 617 games. The last previous game he missed was on Dec. 4, 2021, with the Sacramento Kings.
In his two games over the last week, he combined for six points on 2 of 8 shooting and has come off the bench in the last eight games.
After Powell scored four points in 20½ minutes of Brooklyn’s 125–110 Thursday loss to San Antonio, the Nets sent him to the Long Island Nets, its G-League affiliate, when they recalled Ben Saraf.
In his Long Island debut, he started, played 28 minutes, and collected 10 of his 13 points in the first quarter, finishing with 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Powell also played games for Long Island on Dec. 9 and Dec. 10.
Limited to only five more NBA games this season under his two-way contract (unless Portland converts it to a standard contract), Caleb Love continues to play games for the Blazers’ G League affiliate, the Rip City Remix.
He’s averaged 23.7 points in three G League games after scoring 19 points in 35 minutes, although going 1-of-8 from 3-point range, in a 122–95 home loss Monday to the Iowa Wolves. He had four assists but six turnovers.
Milwaukee converted Cormac Ryan’s contract from Exhibit 10 to two-way, but he hasn’t played with the Bucks yet. In his only game over the last week, he had 28 points, three 3-pointers and seven assists in the Wisconsin Herd’s 134–126 Friday road win over the Memphis Hustle.
It was a tough week for Johnson after contributing 11 points, five rebounds and three assists in Denver’s 103–84 Wednesday win against Boston and then seven points, eight rebounds and three blocks in Friday’s 127–121 loss at Oklahoma City.
Johnson was scoreless on 0-for-6 shooting with three assists in 23 minutes of Sunday’s 117–108 loss to Minnesota. He suffered inflammation in his right ankle during that game, which forced him to miss Monday’s 128–125 win at Utah.
“It’s an older problem,” Johnson told Altitude Plus. “It’s kind of been there all season. That’s no excuse for anything. Everybody’s dealing with stuff at this point in the season.”
Leaky Black played his first two NBA games this season, combining for 12 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks in more than 61 minutes for the Washington Wizards.
Day’Ron Sharpe notched his fifth double-double of the season in Thursday’s 126–110 home loss to San Antonio with 14 points and 11 rebounds. He had two points and five rebounds in Friday’s 148–111 loss to Boston.
Sharpe got his seventh start of the season in Brooklyn’s 106–102 Sunday home loss to Cleveland, collecting seven points, eight assists and three steals. He came off the bench in Tuesday’s 124–98 loss at Miami with 10 points and eight rebounds.
In other news on former UNC players:
— In a much-anticipated move, Phoenix waived Anthony, whom it acquired at the trade deadline from Milwaukee.
— It was a quiet few days for Milwaukee center Pete Nance. After not playing (coach’s decision) on Wednesday, he was scoreless on a combined 0-for-3 shooting in games on Friday and Sunday before contributing six points and three rebounds in the Bucks’ 108–81 home loss Monday to Boston.
— RJ Davis combined for eight points in two South Bay Lakers wins last week, the second a 115–100 Saturday home win over the Stockton Kings. After his honored-jersey ceremony at halftime of UNC’s game with Clemson, he was quickly off to Oklahoma City for South Bay’s noon game against the Blue.
—Harrison Ingram missed both Austin Spurs games in the last week with an undisclosed injury.
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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
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 statistics — 5 games, 18.0 minutes, 8.4 points, 34.6 FG%, 36.4 3P%, 88.9 FT%, 1.4 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist, 0.8 of a steal
Tuesday’s season opener — Thunder 116, Spurs 104 (home) | didn’t start: 9:16, 3 points, 1–1 FG, +/- of 0
Next game — 9:30 Friday vs. Houston, Prime Video
Leaky Black, Sacramento Kings guard
Age 27 | 6–6, 209 | 4th season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Reserve; likely to play share of games 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 statistics — 3 games, 19.9 minutes, 7.7 points, 53.8 FG%, 62.5 3P%, 4–4 FT, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 of an assist, 1.3 steals
Wednesday’s season opener — Clippers 121, Kings 96 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 10 p.m. Friday vs. Portland
Tony Bradley, Utah Jazz center
Age 28 | 6–10, 248 | 9th NBA season | $2.44 million salary | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fifth-string center
Final statistics last season (Indiana, Atlanta) — 41 games, 4.0 points, 54.7 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Preseason statistics (New York) — 3 games, 7.5 minutes, 5.3 points, 80.0 FG%, 0–1 FT, 1.7 rebounds
Wednesday’s opener — Grizzlies 123, Jazz 103 (road) | Inactive: left quadriceps strain
Next game — 9:30 Friday vs. New Orleans
Harrison Ingram, Utah Jazz forward
Age 24 | 6–6, 230 | second season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string forward 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
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 7.9 minutes, 19 points, 53.3 FG%, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Wednesday’s opener — Grizzlies 123, Jazz 103 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 9:30 Friday vs. New Orleans
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 statistics — 5 games, 18.3 minutes, 10.0 points, 55.9 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 2.2 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist
Season opener — 9:30 Thursday 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 statistics — 2 games, 23.4 minutes, 8.5 points, 42.9 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 83.3 FT%, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.5 blocks
Wednesday’s season opener — Lakers 127, Warriors 105 (home) | started: 29:48, 26 points, 12–12 FG, 2–4 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +24
Next game — 10 p.m. Friday vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Caleb Love, Philadelphia 76ers guard
Age 25 | 6–3, 212 | 2nd season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | 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 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
Tuesday’s season opener — Sixers 106, Knicks 100 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday vs. Cleveland, ESPN
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | 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
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 13.0 minutes, 4.0 points, 35.7 FG%, 30.0 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 3.2 rebounds
Wednesday’s season opener — Wizards 128, Bucks 116 (road) | inactive (coach’s decision)
Next game — 4 p.m. Friday vs. Chicago
Tyler Nickel, New York Knicks forward
Age 23 | 6–7, 220 | rookie season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot
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 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
Tuesday’s season opener — Sixers 106, Knicks 100 (home) | inactive for game
Next game — 7 p.m. Friday at Boston, Prime Video
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
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 10.8 minutes, 4.0 points, 46.2 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 2–2 FT, 1.0 rebound
Wednesday’s season opener — Hornets 110, Nets 103 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7:30 Saturday at Cleveland
Cormac Ryan, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $680,984 salary (2-way contract) | 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
Preseason 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
Wednesday’s season opener — Wizards 128, Bucks 116 (road) | inactive (coach’s decision)
Next game — 4 p.m. Friday vs. Chicago
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
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 18.8 minutes, 7.7 points, 55.6 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 25.0 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.3 blocks
Wednesday’s season opener — Hornets 110, Nets 103 (home) | started: 29:40, 8 points, 4–5 FG, 0–1 FT, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 2 turnovers, 4 fouls, team-high +7
Next game — 7:30 Saturday at Cleveland
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 3P%, 81.7 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Team record: 44–38, 9th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday’s season opener — Hornets 110, Nets 103 (road) | inactive: left calf strain
Next game — 7 p.m. Friday vs. Atlanta
Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 20 | 6–10, 215 | Rookie season | $10.68 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 statistics — 5 games, 26.5 minutes, 15.8 points, 44.1 FG%, 31.0 3P%, 55.6 FT%, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.6 of a steal
Wednesday’s season opener — Raptors 135, Bulls 92 (road) | started: 32:28, 16 points, 7–21 FG, 1–8 3FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block, team-high 9 turnovers, 4 fouls, team-low -45
Next game — 4 p.m. Friday at Milwaukee
Likely out for season
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept.15)
Waived in training camp
Guard RJ Davis by San Antonio (preseason statistics: 3 games, 8.8 minutes, 7 points, 27.3 FG%, 1–4 3FG, 0–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block)
Photo via @hornets
