By R.L. Bynum
Harrison Barnes returned after missing five games with an ankle injury to produce one of his best games of the season, while a thumb injury ended a productive season for Day’Ron Sharpe and there were big game in the G League for RJ Davis and Caleb Love.
In San Antonio’s 136–131 Thursday home loss to Denver, Barnes collected 20 points, two 3-pointers and seven rebounds in his best game and first with at least 20 points since Dec. 8.
On the winning side of that game, Cameron Johnson played well in Denver wins on back-to-back nights. Johnson, who combined for 16 points in losses on Friday and Tuesday, scored 17 points and three 3-pointers with four assists in Wednesday’s 129–93 home win over Houston, then had 15 points and five rebounds against the Spurs.
Sharpe finished his season with two strong games before Brooklyn opted for him to have season-ending surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb.
In Saturday’s 107–105 upset win at Detroit, he collected 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. In his final game of the season, Monday’s 126–115 win over Memphis, Sharpe tied his season-high with 19 points, and added five rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block.
Among players averaging fewer than 20 minutes per game, Sharpe’s total of points, rebounds and assists per game of 17.71 led the league.
After contributing 11 points, five rebounds and two assists in the G League on Friday as the Long Island Nets won close to home for him with a 117–115 road win over the Greensboro Swarm, Drake Powell started two games for Brooklyn.
Powell, who has averaged 11.8 points, five rebounds and three assists in five G League games, had nine points, three rebounds and two assists in Monday’s win over Memphis. In Thursday’s 108–97 loss at Atlanta, he contributed 11 points and three assists.
Leaky Black only played in two of Washington’s three games in the last week, scoring double figures in both. He started Sunday’s 138–118 loss at New Orleans, and had 10 points, two 3-pointers, four rebounds and two assists. In Thursday’s 136–131 overtime loss at Orlando, Black had 12 points, two 3-pointers, four rebounds and three assists with a team-high +14.
Davis poured in 30 points and six 3-pointers in 34 minutes on Friday night in the South Bay Lakers’ 131–110 road win over the Santa Cruz Warriors. He combined for only 12 points in 31 minutes in his other two games.
Love had 26 points in 29 minutes Friday in the Rip City Remix’s 132–122 home win over the Valley Suns, and 18 points in Saturday’s 126–125 win over Valley. He wasn’t active for Rip City’s last two games, though.
Assuming both are still in the G League, they will face off at 6 p.m. Sunday when South Bay visits Rip City, and it will be televised on Prime Video.
Harrison Ingram produced a pair of double-doubles for the Austin Spurs in their three wins. He had 15 points and 13 rebounds in Sunday’s 119–118 road win over the Sioux City Skyforce and 20 points and 12 rebounds in Tuesday’s 94–86 road win over the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He had 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists in Thursday’s 122–119 home win over the Texas Legends.
Elsewhere among former UNC players:
— Coby White played in three of Charlotte’s four games, sitting out one game to manage his left calf injury. He had 13 points, five rebounds and three assists in the Hornets’ 128–120 Friday home loss to Miami, and combined for 16 points in his other two games.
— Pete Nance played in three of Milwaukee’s four games in the last week, combining for 11 points and nine rebounds.
— The Wisconsin Herd played four games in the last week and Cormac Ryan didn’t play in any of them.
— Cole Anthony remains unsigned two weeks after the Phoenix Suns waived him.
Subscribe to read Tar Heel Tribune ad-free
Subscribe for a cleaner, smoother reading experience without the flashing banners, slow-loading elements, or those especially annoying pop‑up ads that interrupt the flow of the story. You’ll also get the first version of each story emailed to you. The only ads you’ll see are static, non-intrusive ads for UNC‑related books, and there are none currently on the site.
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 33 | 6–7, 225 | 14th season | $19 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Reserve
Final regular-season statistics — 77 games, 9.9 points, 45.6 FG%, 38.8 3P%, 82.9 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Team record: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Monday: 115–102 win vs. Philadelphia — Didn’t start; 17:08, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 3 fouls, +4
Wednesday: 112–101 win vs. Portland — Didn’t start; 26:47, 9 points, 2–4 FG, 0–2 3FG, 5–6 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, +13
Friday: 139–120 win vs. Dallas — Didn’t start; 28:08, 15 points, 6–9 FG, 2–4 3FG, 1–1 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, +13
Sunday: 128–119 loss vs. Denver — Didn’t start; 25:09, 12 points, 5–11 FG, 2–5 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, -5
Next game — First round Game 1 as No. 2 seed in the West: 9 p.m. Sunday vs. the No. 7 seed (the winner of the 10 p.m. Tuesday play-in game between Phoenix and Portland), NBC, Peacock
Leaky Black, Washington Wizards guard
Age 26 | 6–6, 209 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Final regular-season G League statistics — 38 games, 10.3 points, 45.6 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals
Final regular-season NBA statistics — 15 games, 7.1 points, 38.8 FG%, 34.5 3FG%, 87.5 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals
Team record: 17–65, 14th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 129–98 loss vs. Chicago — Started; 23:57, 3 points, 1–4 FG, 1–3 3FG, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 5 fouls, team-low -31
Thursday: 119–108 loss vs. Chicago — Started; 40:51, 14 points, 6–14 FG, 2–8 3FG, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -12
Friday: 140–117 loss vs. Miami — Started; 31:43, 8 points, 3–11 FG, 2–8 3FG, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, 5 fouls, -11
Sunday: 130–117 loss at Cleveland — Didn’t start; 9:22, 0–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, -3
The Wizards didn’t qualify for the postseason
Tony Bradley, Atlanta Hawks center
Age 27 | 6–10, 248 | seventh pro season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Final regular-season statistics — 41 games, 4.0 points, 54.7 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Team record: 46–36, 6th in Eastern Conference
Monday: 108–105 loss vs. New York — 3:34, 0–2 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -2
Wednesday: 122–116 loss at Cleveland — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Friday: 124–102 win vs. Cleveland — 9:04, 7 points, 3–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 foul, -14
Sunday: 143–117 loss at Miami — Started; 4 points, 2–6 FG, 0–1 3FG, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, -18
Next game — First round, Game 1: 6 p.m. Saturday at New York, Prime Video
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.
Final regular-season statistics — 54 games, 12.2 points, 48.0 FG%, 43.0 3P%, 83.9 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 54–28, 3rd in Western Conference
Monday: 137–132 win vs. Portland — Started; 36:40, 17 points, 6–9 FG, 1–3 3FG, 4–5 FT, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 turnovers, 5 fouls, team-high +25
Wednesday: 136–119 win vs. Memphis — Started; 29:43, 18 points, 8–12 FG, 2–4 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +7
Friday: 127–107 win vs. Oklahoma City and Sunday: 128–118 win at San Antonio — Didn’t play (ankle injury)
Next game — First round, Game 1 as No. 3 seed in the West: 3:30 Saturday vs. No. 6 Minnesota, Prime Video
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Final 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
Final regular-season NBA statistics — 47 games, 5.4 points, 51.5 FG%, 42.0 3P%, 36.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist
Team record: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 96–90 loss at Brooklyn — Started; 26:25, 8 points, 3–8 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, team-low -13
Wednesday: 137–111 loss at Detroit — Didn’t start; 18:00, 0–4 FG, 0–3 3FG, 2 rebounds, 4 fouls, team-low -21
Friday: 125–108 win vs. Brooklyn and Sunday: 126–106 loss at Philadelphia— Didn’t play (right knee sprain)
The Bucks didn’t qualify for the postseason.
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
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: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 96–90 win vs. Milwaukee — Started; 40:27, 11 points, 4–16 FG, 1–6 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -2
Thursday: 123–94 loss vs. Indiana — Didn’t start; 20:04, 2 points, 1–7 FG, 0–4 3FG, 0–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -17
Friday: 125–108 loss at Milwaukee — Didn’t play (injury/illness)
Sunday: 125–108 loss at Milwaukee — Started; 25:15, 8 points, 3–10 FG, 0–4 3G, 2–2FT, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, team-low -32
The Nets didn’t qualify for the postseason.
Cormac Ryan, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Final season G League statistics (Wisconsin Herd) — 31 games, 20.9 points, 48.8 FG%, 42.2 3P%, 89.0 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals
Final regular-season NBA statistics — 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: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 96–90 loss at Brooklyn — Didn’t start; 33:43, 14 points, 5–12 FG, 3–6 3FG, 1– FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 6 fouls, -5
Wednesday: 137–111 loss at Detroit — Didn’t start; 24:31, 16 points, 6–9 FG, 3–6 3FG, 1–1 FT, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -11
Friday: 125–108 win vs. Brooklyn — Started; 33:58, 28 points, 10–17 FG, 5–9 3FG, 3–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 4 fouls, +21
Sunday: 126–106 loss at Philadelphia — Started; 38:15, 22 points, 8–20 FG, 3–12 3FG, 3–3 FT, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -18
The Bucks didn’t qualify for the postseason.
Coby White, Charlotte Hornets forward
Age 26 | 6–4, 195 | 7th season | $12.88 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup point guard behind LaMelo Ball
Final regular-season statistics — 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
Tuesday: 113–102 loss at Boston — Didn’t play (groin injury)
Friday: 118–100 loss vs. Detroit — Didn’t start; 16:10, 11 points, 3–7 FG, 2–3 3FG, 3–4 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, team-low -20
Sunday: 110–96 win at New York — Didn’t start; 16:18, 19 points, 6–10 FG, 3–6 3FG, 4–6 FT, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, team-high +18
Next game — First round, Play-in Tournament: 7:30 Tuesday vs. Miami, Prime Video (loser eliminated; winner faces loser of the Philadelphia-Orlando game in another elimination game)
Out for season
— Brooklyn Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe (UCL tear in left thumb); season statistics: 62 games, 8.7 points, 60.1 FG%, 23.1 3P%, 67.8 FT%, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists
— 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
Waived
— Cole Anthony by the Phoenix Suns
— Tony Bradley by the Indiana Pacers
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Final regular-season statistics — 49 games, 18.4 points, 46.8 FG%, 42.6 3P%, 86.4 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Final playoffs statistics — 3 games, 14.3 points, 45.2 FG%, 35.3 3P%, 6–6 FT, 1.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists
G League season over.
Harrison Ingram, Austin Spurs forward
Age 23 | 6–5, 230 | 2nd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Final regular-season NBA statistics — 4 games, 11 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +11
Final regular-season G League statistics — 40 games, 16.6 points, 49.2 FG%, 34.0 3P%, 62.9 FT%, 12.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.2 steals
Friday with Spurs: 139–120 win vs. Dallas — 5:38, -2
G League season is over.
Caleb Love, Rip City Remix (Trail Blazers) guard
Age 24 | 6–3, 212 | Rookie season | Two-way contract | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Final regular-season NBA season statistics — 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
Final G League regular-season statistics — 10 games, 24.7 points, 43.3 FG%, 23.5 3P%, 75.8 FT%, 4.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 3.6 turnovers
Wednesday with Blazers: 112–101 loss at San Antonio — 2:12, 1 turnover, -4
Sunday with Blazers: 122–110 win vs. Sacramento — 1:39, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3G, -4
Next Blazers game — First round, Play-in Tournament: 10 p.m. Tuesday at Phoenix, Prime Video (loser eliminated; winner faces San Antonio in first-round series beginning Sunday)
Photo via @BrooklynNets
