By R.L. Bynum
Cormac Ryan’s NBA career-high of 25 points last week has only made him “hungry as ever” to prove he deserves to stick at the NBA level.
On a night that RJ Davis’ G League season ended with a flourish and frustration, Ryan showed again Sunday why he should stay in the NBA, with 21 points, three 3-pointers, four rebounds and three assists in the Bucks’ 131–115 home win over Memphis.
Ryan is the first Bucks player with multiple games of at least 20 points in his first seven career games since Brandon Jennings (2009–10). For Ryan, the production has not come from any sudden shift as much as a steady commitment to what he has always leaned on.
“I’m not doing anything different than I have been all year, and frankly, all of my career,” Ryan said after making 7 of 8 shots in Sunday’s game. “I’m just staying true to what got me here and the things that I know can continue to make me successful and help me impact winning.”
That approach showed up across the box score, especially on the defensive end, where his five steals helped spark transition opportunities and kept Memphis from settling into a rhythm. Ryan’s activity, paired with his shooting beyond the arc, gave Milwaukee a jolt after the uneven showing against Boston two nights earlier, when he had 11 points and two 3-pointers in a 133–101 Bucks loss.
“Being hungry for opportunity, at the end of the day, that’s really all you can ask for,” Ryan said. “I’m as hungry as ever.”
The Bucks fed off that energy in Sunday’s victory.
“I help [my team] win, and I try to make winning plays, and I play hard, and I’m an unselfish guy,” he said. “That ultimately, at the end of the day, is going to be a reason why I stick in this league.”
Even as his role continues to evolve, Ryan framed his recent stretch in simple terms, less about numbers and more about the chance to stay on the floor and compete.
“I think the ability to go out and compete, that’s really what I’m most happy about,” he said.
Pete Nance put up his second NBA double-double this season with 14 points, 10 rebounds and four 3-pointers in the Bucks’ loss to Boston and had five points, four rebounds and four assists against Memphis.
Davis scored 19 of his game-high 28 points and three 3-pointers with four rebounds and three assists while battling foul trouble in his South Bay Lakers’ season-ending 101–97 home loss Sunday to the Stockton Kings in the Western Conference final of the G League playoffs.
Davis, who had eight points, two 3-pointers and four assists in South Bay’s 112–97 semifinal win Friday over the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, averaged 14.3 points in three playoff games. He made 35.3% of his 3-point attempts and all six free-throw attempts while averaging four assists.
Leaky Black had a busy weekend, playing three games in three states in two leagues.
Black was in Greensboro on Friday playing for the G League’s Capital City Go-Go in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Swarm. He started the Go-Go’s season-ending 118–108 loss, collecting four points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
He then joined the Washington Wizards in Miami on Saturday, going scoreless in just over five minutes of their 152–136 loss to the Heat. Sunday afternoon, he was in Brooklyn for the Wizards’ 121–115 loss to the Nets. Black started and played more than 42 minutes, contributing eight points, five rebounds and five steals.
In that Brooklyn victory, Drake Powell started and collected 13 points, two assists and three steals and was a team-high +13, his 16th double-figure scoring game. In Friday’s 141–107 Nets home loss to Atlanta, Powell also started, and had six points, four assists, two rebounds, two steals and a block.
Coby White continues to put up consistent performances off the bench for Charlotte. He has scored three 3-pointers in each of the last three games, with 19 points in Thursday’s 127–107 home win over Phoenix, 11 in Friday’s 129–107 home victory over Indiana and 17 in Sunday’s 122–108 victory at Minnesota.
The Hornets (43–36) have won four consecutive games and are a half-game out of avoiding the play-in tournament.
Cameron Johnson scored 17 points and a big late 3-pointer Saturday in Denver’s 136–134 overtime home win over San Antonio. He also scored four 3-pointers and pulled down seven rebounds.
For the Spurs in that loss at Denver, Harrison Barnes came off the bench for the seventh consecutive game, scoring eight points in 16 minutes. He had three points in 20 minutes of San Antonio’s 118–88 Thursday road win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Tony Bradley is back in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks, signing a deal Saturday for the rest of the season because of an injury to Jock Landale. The Indiana Pacers didn’t re-sign Bradley after his last 10-day contract expired on Jan. 29 and he had been a free agent since then.
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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 — 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 — 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Atlanta
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) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next exhibition — 10:30 Thursday at Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN2
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
Next exhibition — 7:30 Thursday vs. Washington, 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
Team record last season: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Atlanta
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock
Harrison Ingram, Utah Jazz forward
Age 23 (turns 25 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
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Tuesday at Denver
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
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. San Antonio
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) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next exhibition — 10 p.m. Tuesday at 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) | didn’t start: 23:33, 15 points, 4–10 FG, 3–6 3FG, 4–6 FT, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, +18
Next exhibition — 7:30 Thursday at Brooklyn
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) | 6:42, 3 points, 1–1 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1 rebound, -4
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Wednesday at Oklahoma City
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 — 7 p.m. Tuesday at Charlotte
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
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Wednesday at Oklahoma City
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 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 — 7 p.m. Tuesday at Charlotte
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Charlotte
Henri Veesaar, Atlanta Hawks center
Age 22 | 7–0, 227 | rookie season| 1.35 million salary | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Roster situation — Likely out for the season after tearing right ACL on Sept. 15
Statistics last season (UNC) — 31 games, 17.0 points, 60.8 FG%, 42.6 3P%, 61.5 FT%, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 blocks
Coby White, Charlotte Hornets forward
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
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. Brooklyn
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 — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Phoenix
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Toronto
Photo via @Bucks
