By R.L. Bynum
Caleb Wilson finished his first NBA preseason with one of his most complete performances Friday, helping the host Chicago Bulls beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 133–116.
The rookie forward scored 16 points on 7-for-15 shooting, including two 3-pointers, and added seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 22½ minutes.
The highlights Friday came at both ends of the floor. Wilson blocked shots with both hands, twice rebounded his misses and scored on the putbacks, and he slammed home one of them in the final minute of the first quarter to put the Bulls ahead 33–28. He also knocked down a 3-pointer late in the second quarter before Chicago closed the half on a 13–6 run, carrying a 67–60 lead into halftime.
After scoring double figures in all five preseason games, his long-anticipated NBA regular-season debut is Wednesday in Toronto.
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Wilson described the adjustment to the NBA’s physicality.
“You have to overcompensate for things when you lack in that department,” Wilson said after collecting 10 points, four rebounds and three assists in Chicago’s 125–104 road win Wednesday over Milwaukee. “I’m not the strongest guy, and I know that, but I’m working towards it. But being able to be smarter and know that I have leverage over certain people in certain positions is something that’s really big for me.”
After Friday’s game, Bulls coach Tiago Splitter talked about what’s ahead for Wilson.
“I think he went through different stages, ups and downs,” Splitter told Sam Smith of NBA.com. “We are, and he’s still trying to figure out how to be more effective, which is normal. He’s a 20-year-old kid playing in the NBA. So, it’s going to be a process; we understand that. But overall, he’s listening; he’s trying to learn. He’s asking for more film, like I say, eager to learn.”
Splitter also made clear Friday that he sees Wilson as a centerpiece without wanting the franchise to revolve around him on any given night.
“The Bulls are the most important thing, but of course he is our future,” Splitter said. “A player that’s going to be a star in this league. It’s not the Caleb show every night.”
Elsewhere on the final three days of the preseason:
—San Antonio’s Harrison Barnes came off the bench both nights, scoring seven points (1–5 FG, 1–4 3FG, 4–4 FT) in 20 minutes of a 123–103 win over Phoenix on Wednesday and three points in 13 minutes of a 126–97 victory over Sacramento on Friday. The Spurs open the season at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday against Oklahoma City on NBC.
—Cameron Johnson and Walker Kessler met Friday as Denver won 121–106 on the road over the Los Angeles Lakers. Johnson, the Nuggets’ starting small forward ahead of DeMar DeRozan, scored 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting (2–4 3 FG) in 23 minutes, after a quieter Wednesday of five points (2–5 FG) in a 122–110 loss at the Clippers. Kessler started at center for the Lakers and had six points (2–8 FG), six rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 31 minutes, but Los Angeles was outscored by 21 points when he was on the floor.
—Leaky Black did not play Friday (coach’s decision) as Sacramento’s reserves stayed on the bench in the loss to San Antonio. Black earned the Kings’ third two-way contract on Thursday after averaging 7.7 points on 53.8% shooting (62.5% on 3-pointers) in three preseason games.
—In Milwaukee, Cormac Ryan led the way with 14 points (4–9 FG, 3–7 3FG) in 26 minutes of Wednesday’s loss to the Bulls, while Pete Nance started and finished with four points (1–6 FG) in nearly 26 minutes. On Friday, Ryan added four points in 10 minutes of a 128–127 overtime win at Indiana, and Nance did not play (coach’s decision). Both are fighting for roster spots, and the Bucks open at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Washington.
—Brooklyn center Day’Ron Sharpe started Wednesday’s 144–128 loss at Miami and had 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting, six rebounds, four assists and two steals in 17 minutes, though he committed five fouls. Drake Powell played just under six minutes and did not score. The Nets open at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday against Charlotte. The Hornets’ Coby White missed the entire preseason with a left calf strain, and his status for the opener is unclear.
—Harrison Ingram scored two points in 3½ minutes of Utah’s 119–116 win at Phoenix on Friday.
—Caleb Love missed all five shots (two from 3-point range) in 6½ minutes of Philadelphia’s 125–120 overtime home loss Friday to Boston.
—Tyler Nickel, a rookie fighting for a spot in New York, scored two points in just over four minutes of Thursday’s 122–120 win over Toronto.
—The Knicks waived journeyman center Tony Bradley on Thursday after he averaged 5.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in 7.5 minutes over three preseason games.
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%, 36.6 3P%, 88.9 FT%, 1.4 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist, 0.8 of a steal
Wednesday — Spurs 123, Suns 103 (home) | didn’t start: 20:21, 7 points, 1–5 FG, 1–4 3FG, 4–4 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 steals, +4
Friday — Spurs 126, Kings 97 (home) | didn’t start: 13:05, 3 points, 1–3 FG, 1–3 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 foul, -1
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday 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, to earn Kings’ final two-way contract
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
Friday — Spurs 126, Kings 97 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Season opener — 10:30 Wednesday at Los Angeles Clippers
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 — 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
Friday — Jazz 119, Suns 116 (road) | didn’t start: 3:26, 2 points, 1–1 FG, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, +1
Season opener — 8 p.m. Wednesday at Memphis
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
Wednesday — Clippers 122, Nuggets 110 (road) | started: 12:58, 5 points, 2–5 FG, 1–4 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, +3
Friday — Nuggets 121, Lakers 106 (road) | started: 23:10, 12 points, 5–8 FG, 2–4 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +/- of 0
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
Friday — Nuggets 121, Lakers 106 (home) | started: 30:56, 6 points, 2–8 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -21
Season opener — 10 p.m. Wednesday 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 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
Friday — Celtics 125, Sixers 120, OT (home) | didn’t start | 6:37, 0 points, 0–5 FG, 0–2 3FG, 0–1 FT, -9
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday 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
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 13.0 minutes, 4.0 points, 35.7 FG%, 30 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 3.2 rebounds
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday — Bulls 125, Bucks 104 (home) | started: 25:50, 4 points, 1–6 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -17
Friday — Bucks 128, Pacers 127, OT (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday at Washington
Tyler Nickel, New York Knicks forward
Age 23 | 6–7, 220 | rookie season | $678,882 salary | 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 FG%, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 38.8 minutes, 16 points, 4–18 FG, 2–14 3FG, 6–7 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Thursday — Knicks 122, Raptors 120 | didn’t start: 4:07, 2 points, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 foul, -1
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. Philadelphia, NBC
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, 43.5 FG%, 45.5 3P%, 2–2 FT, 1.1 rebounds
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday — Heat 144, Nets 128 (road) | didn’t start; 5:41, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 1 foul, +/- of 0
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday 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 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 — Bulls 125, Bucks 104 (home) | didn’t start: 26:07, 14 points, 4–9 FG, 3–7 3FG, 3–5 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 4 fouls, -20
Friday — Bucks 128, Pacers 127, OT (road) | didn’t start: 10:18, 4 points, 1–1 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, +/- of 0
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday 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 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 — Heat 144, Nets 128 (road) | started: 17:26, 11 points, 5–8 FG, 1–3 3FG, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 5 fouls, -4
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday 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
Missed preseason after suffering a left calf strain during training camp
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday 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 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 — Bulls 125, Bucks 104 (road) | started: 24:04, 10 points, 4–11 FG, 1–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 4 fouls, +14
Friday — Bulls 133, Timberwolves 116 (home) | started: 22:34, 16 points, 7–15 FG, 2–5 3FG, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +12
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday at Toronto
Likely out for season
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept.15)
Waived in training camp
Center Tony Bradley by New York (preseason statistics: 3 games, 7.5 minutes, 5.3 points, 80.0 FG%, 0–1 FT, 1.7 rebounds)
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 @chicagobulls
