By R.L. Bynum
Caleb Wilson’s remarkable start to his NBA career continued Saturday night with his first 30-point game and first double-double, but even his best performance yet wasn’t enough to keep the Chicago Bulls from losing to Washington.
The former Carolina star collected 30 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block in 38 minutes as the Bulls fell 124–120 to the Wizards in Wilson’s home debut.
Wilson, who has started all three games at power forward, went 10-for-24 from the floor and 9-for-11 at the free-throw line. His only shooting struggle came beyond the arc, where he made just one of nine attempts. He finished with a team-best plus-14 rating.
Wilson is averaging 22.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks through his first three NBA games, giving the Bulls immediate production from a player who spent only one season in Chapel Hill.
Wilson’s 26.2 game score was his best so far this season, equaling his best at UNC last season when he collected 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals in Carolina’s 87–74 victory over Kansas on Nov. 7, 2025.
Wilson’s efficiency inside the arc and at the free-throw line helped offset his perimeter shooting struggles. He made nine of 15 two-point attempts, repeatedly finding ways to score against Washington’s defense.
His 67 points are the second-most by a Bulls player through his first three NBA games, trailing only Michael Jordan’s 74. Wilson also became the first NBA player since Terry Cummings in the 1982–83 season to collect at least 30 points and 14 rebounds in one of his first three career games.
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The No. 4 overall draft pick attacked Washington’s defense relentlessly in the first half, scoring 17 points and throwing down five dunks. A fast-break dunk gave Chicago a 60–50 lead late in the second quarter, and he added a reverse dunk less than a minute later.
“Just being aggressive,” Wilson said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. “The Wizards are really big, and our opportunities are in transition because they have so much size.”
The Bulls led 62–57 at halftime, but Washington dominated the third quarter 40–20 and built a lead that reached 21 points. Chicago rallied with 38 points in the fourth quarter but couldn’t complete the comeback. Trae Young led the Wizards with 25 points and nine assists.
Wilson remains confident his perimeter shooting will improve after making only four of 23 attempts through three games.
“It’s a three-point shooting league, and I feel like they’ll fall,” Wilson said after Saturday’s game. “Even today, I couldn’t believe myself; I couldn’t throw a three in the basket, then at the end of the game, I hit a three. It’ll come.”
Elsewhere among former UNC players on Saturday:
—Day’Ron Sharpe started and collected seven points, eight rebounds, one assist and one steal in 22 minutes, 40 seconds as Brooklyn lost 125–121 at Cleveland. He was 3 of 10 from the floor, including 1 of 2 on 3-pointers, and committed three turnovers. Drake Powell didn’t play (coach’s decision)
—Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs: Barnes played only 3:57 off the bench in San Antonio’s 122–106 road victory over Dallas. He missed his only shot, a 3-pointer, and finished with no points.
—Caleb Love made his season debut in Philadelphia’s 127–116 home victory over Milwaukee, playing the final 30 seconds without recording a statistic. The former UNC guard is on a two-way contract after averaging 10.4 points in 49 NBA games last season. Philadelphia hosts Detroit at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
—Cameron Johnson missed Denver’s 141–135 home victory over New Orleans because of a sprained right ankle.
—Coby White remained sidelined with a left calf strain as Charlotte defeated Miami 115–110 at home.
—Pete Nance and Cormac Ryan were both inactive for Milwaukee’s 127–116 loss at Philadelphia.
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
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
Season statistics — 3 games, 1.0 point, 25.0 FG%, 25.0 3P%
Friday — Rockets 114, Spurs 110 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Saturday — Spurs 122, Mavericks 106 (road) | didn’t start: 3:57, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, +6
Next game — 8 p.m. Tuesday vs. Sacramento
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
Season statistics — 1 game, 5.0 points, 66.7 FG%, 1–4 3P, 2.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist
Saturday — Nuggets 141, Pelicans 135 (home) | didn’t play (sprained right ankle)
Next game — 10 p.m. Monday vs. Golden State, Peacock, NBCSN
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
Saturday — (season debut) Sixers 127, Bucks 116 (home) | 30 seconds, no statistics
Next game — 7:30 Sunday vs. Detroit
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
Saturday — Sixers 127, Bucks 116 (road) | inactive
Next game — 8 p.m. Monday vs. Indiana
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
Saturday — Cavaliers 125, Nets 121 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Indiana
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
Saturday — Sixers 127, Bucks 116 (road) | inactive
Next game — 8 p.m. Monday vs. Indiana
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
Season statistics — 2 games, 7.5 points, 46.7 FG%, 1–2 3P, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Saturday — Cavaliers 125, Nets 121 (road) | started: 22:40, 7 points, 3–10 FG, 1–2 3FG, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, +6
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Indiana
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
Saturday — Hornets 115, Heat 110 (home) | inactive: left calf strain
Next game — 7 p.m. Monday vs. Washington
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 — 3 games, 22.3 points, 40.7 FG%, 17.4 3P%, 78.9 FT%, 8.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.3 blocks
Saturday — Wizards 124, Bulls 120 (home) | started: 38:22, 30 points, 10–24 FG, 1–9 3FG, 9–11 FT, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 2 fouls, +14, 26.2 game score (tied for best college game score: 24 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals in 87–74 win over Kansas on Nov. 7, 2025)
Next game — 7:30 Monday at Boston
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 @chicagobulls
