By R.L. Bynum
Caleb Wilson didn’t look much like a rookie with the game on the line Friday, taking charge in the final minutes to help Chicago complete a remarkable turnaround from its rough season opener.
The former Carolina star scored 19 of his 21 points in the second half, made four consecutive free throws in the final 76 seconds, and grabbed a critical rebound and steal as the Bulls rallied from 15 points down for a 132–125 road win over Milwaukee.
Wilson’s first two games also put him in select company. He joined Michael Jordan as the only rookies in Bulls history to record at least 15 points, four rebounds, one block and one steal in each of their first two NBA games. Like Jordan, Wilson went from scoring 16 points in his NBA debut to 21 points against Milwaukee in his second game.
Two nights after Chicago suffered a 135–92 blowout loss at Toronto, Wilson helped the Bulls survive a back-and-forth finish that featured 10 lead changes and six ties. Milwaukee led 123–122 with less than three minutes remaining, but Wilson’s four free throws put Chicago ahead to stay.
“I feel like I’m built for the moment,” Wilson, who put up a 15.5 game score, said in a postgame interview with Chicago Sports Network. “I’m going to be the most focused and most detailed player ever.”
Wilson, the fourth overall pick in June’s NBA draft, finished with six rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks in 33 minutes. He made 7 of 14 shots, including 2 of 6 3-point attempts, and went 5-for-6 from the free-throw line.
His biggest contributions came after Milwaukee regained the lead late. Wilson drew a blocking foul with 1:16 remaining and made both free throws to put Chicago ahead 124–123. He attacked the basket again on the next possession, drawing a foul against Myles Turner and sinking two more free throws with 35.2 seconds left.
Wilson followed with a defensive rebound and a steal on a Tyler Herro pass, helping the Bulls complete their comeback.
“I always feel like near the end of the game I’m going to do the right thing,” Wilson said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. “I love those moments because it shows who you really are.”
The finish was especially encouraging after Wilson struggled in his NBA debut Wednesday. He committed nine turnovers against Toronto, and the Bulls lost by 43 points. Against Milwaukee, he reduced his turnovers to three while scoring 19 points after halftime.
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Chicago trailed 32–17 after the first quarter and 62–61 at halftime. The Bulls scored 44 points in the second quarter, including a 16–0 run, and kept pace with Milwaukee until Wilson and his teammates took control late.
Wilson had only two points at halftime after attempting three shots, but he remained patient as his opportunities increased.
“One thing about the NBA is the games are long,” Wilson said. “You might not touch it in the first half, but once I get my chance I’m going to go out there and do what I can.”
Wilson also delivered one of the game’s most emphatic plays in the fourth quarter. After Turner blocked one of his attempts, teammate Noa Essengue forced a turnover and got the ball back to Wilson, who threw down a powerful dunk to give Chicago a four-point lead.
His late-game composure drew praise from veteran and former Duke guard Tre Jones.
“He’s fearless, he’s a competitor [and] he’s a winner at the end of the day,” Jones said.
Coach Tiago Splitter said the Bulls needed to respond after their season-opening embarrassment.
“Nobody liked the way we played,” Splitter said. “We know that; the players know that. I think we hit bottom there, and it was bad.”
For Wilson, the victory was a chance to show that he could contribute when Chicago needed him most, something he believes will become a regular part of his NBA career.
“The thing for me is just proving myself right,” Wilson said. “Like, if I want to be the guy, I’ve got to show up and make free throws, do clutch things in the final minutes.”
Kessler stuffs stat sheet with six blocks
Walker Kessler scored 22 points and blocked six shots Friday as the Lakers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 125–117.
The 7–2 center made 10 of 14 shots, grabbed eight rebounds, handed out three assists and collected three steals in 35 minutes. His plus-18 rating was the best on the team.
Kessler has quickly become a major factor for the Lakers after arriving from Utah. Over two games, he’s averaged 24 points, 8.5 rebounds, two assists, 1.5 steals, and four blocks while shooting 84.6% from the field.
Friday’s performance was particularly impressive because of his two-way impact. He needed only 14 shots to score 22 points and combined six blocks with three steals, giving Los Angeles a shot-blocking presence around the basket.
The Lakers (2–0) visit Utah at 5 p.m. Sunday, giving Kessler an early opportunity to face his former team.
Elsewhere among former Tar Heels on Thursday and Friday (earlier games covered in this story):
—Cameron Johnson started Thursday in Denver’s 96–84 road loss to Oklahoma City but played only 11 minutes and 20 seconds. Johnson scored five points on 2-of-3 shooting, including his only 3-point attempt, and added two rebounds and one assist.
—Coby White missed Charlotte’s 128–81 loss Friday at Atlanta and continued to be termed day-to-day with a left calf strain after also missing the Hornets’ opener.
—Eight players didn’t play Thursday or Friday: San Antonio’s Harrison Barnes (coach’s decision) for its 114–110 home loss Friday to Houston; Milwaukee’s Pete Nance and Cormac Ryan (both inactive) against Chicago on Friday; Philadelphia’s Caleb Love (coach’s decision) in its 114–106 victory Thursday over Cleveland; Sacramento’s Leaky Black (coach’s decision) in a 128–120 home loss to Portland; Utah’s Harrison Ingram (inactive) and Tony Bradley (coach’s decision) for Friday’s 120–119 victory over New Orleans and New York’s Tyler Nickel (inactive) for Friday’s 107–103 loss at Boston.
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
Friday — Rockets 114, Spurs 110 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday at Dallas
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
Friday — Blazers 128, Kings 120 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 9 p.m. Sunday vs. Memphis
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
Friday — Jazz 120, Pelicans 119 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 5 p.m. Sunday vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Harrison Ingram, Utah Jazz forward
Age 24 | 6–6, 230 | 3rd pro 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
Friday — Jazz 120, Pelicans 119 (home) | inactive for game
Next game — 5 p.m. Sunday vs. Los Angeles Lakers
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
Thursday’s opener — Thunder 96, Nuggets 84 (road) | started: 11:20, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, +/- of 0
Next game — 9 p.m. Saturday vs. 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
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
Season statistics — 2 games, 24.0 points, 84.6 FG%, 44.4 FT%, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steal, 4.0 blocks
Friday — Lakers 125, Clippers 117 (home) | started: 34:54, 22 points, 10–14 FG, 2–5 FT, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 6 blocks, 1 turnovers, 3 fouls, team-high +18
Next game — 5 p.m. Sunday at Utah
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
Thursday — Sixers 114, Cavaliers 106 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7:30 Saturday vs. Milwaukee, NBATV
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
Friday — Bulls 132, Bucks 125 (home) | inactive (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7:30 Saturday at Philadelphia, NBATV
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
Friday — Celtics 107, Knicks 103 (road) | inactive for game
Next game — 7 p.m. Sunday vs. Orlando
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
Friday — Bulls 132, Bucks 125 (home) | inactive (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7:30 Saturday at Philadelphia, NBATV
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
Friday — Hawks 128, Hornets 81 (road) | inactive: left calf strain
Next game — 6 p.m. Saturday vs. Miami
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
Season statistics — 2 games, 16.5 points, 40 FG%, 21.4 3P%, 50 FT%, 4.0 rebounds, 0.5 of an assist, 6.0 turnovers, 1.5 steals, 1.5 blocks
Friday — Bulls 132, Bucks 125 (road) | started: 33:11, 21 points, 7–14 FG, 2–6 3FG, 5–6 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, -3
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday vs. Washington
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 @DieHardChicago
