By R.L. Bynum
Cormac Ryan opened the G League season by making every 3-pointer he took. Starting for the Wisconsin Herd on Friday at Iowa, Ryan scored 31 points in 29 minutes on 12-for-16 shooting, including 7-for-7 on 3-pointers. He added six assists and a steal in Wisconsin’s 142–124 win.
Leaky Black made his first start of the NBA season Friday, taking De’Andre Hunter’s spot at small forward after Hunter was ruled out with an illness before Sacramento’s NBA Cup opener against San Antonio.
Black played nearly 40 minutes scored 12 points on 4-for-7 shooting, with all seven attempts coming from 3-point range. He added three rebounds, five assists and two steals, committed five fouls and finished at minus-1 in the Kings’ 124–109 loss.
Black had three points on 1-for-4 shooting and six rebounds in 22 minutes in Wednesday’s 116–103 home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. He is shooting 44.4% on 3-pointers this season.
Harrison Barnes scored 13 points in 19 minutes off the San Antonio bench against Sacramento, going 4-for-7 from the field, 2-for-5 on 3-pointers and 3-for-4 at the free-throw line. He scored four points in 12 minutes and 36 seconds in Wednesday’s 112–111 home win over Dallas. Through seven games, he is shooting 52.6% from the field and 43.8% on 3-pointers.
RJ Davis also opened his G League season with a win. He scored 19 points off the bench and added four assists as the Austin Spurs held on for a 120–116 victory over the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Davis joined San Antonio’s G League affiliate after the Spurs waived him on Oct. 13.
Tyler Nickel, a rookie who played at North Carolina in 2022–23, scored 17 points in his G League debut for the Westchester Knicks, a 123–94 road loss to the Maine Celtics.
Caleb Wilson had a difficult night Wednesday. The Chicago Bulls rookie scored five points on 2-for-12 shooting, including 1-for-7 on 3-pointers, in a 135–105 loss at New York. He had five rebounds, a steal and three turnovers in 21 minutes and 45 seconds. The Bulls were outscored by 22 points with him on the court. Wilson is averaging 19.5 points on 40.9% shooting through eight games.
Drake Powell was inactive for Brooklyn’s 114–104 win over Charlotte on Wednesday and played in Long Island’s G League opener Friday. He had six points on 2-for-6 shooting, four rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block in a 121–111 loss at Greensboro. Long Island was outscored by 11 points with him on the court.
Day’Ron Sharpe had five points, eight assists, five rebounds and two blocks in 27 minutes and 22 seconds in Brooklyn’s win over Charlotte.
Coby White had a tough week as the Hornets lost twice. He scored four points on 2-for-9 shooting Wednesday at Brooklyn, then went 1-for-8 from the field and finished with seven points and three turnovers in Friday’s 119–80 NBA Cup loss to Boston. Charlotte was outscored by 23 points in his 16 minutes and 27 seconds. The Hornets host Cleveland at 7 p.m. Monday.
Walker Kessler had 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting, eight rebounds, three steals and four blocks in the Lakers’ Wednesday win at Sacramento. He added 16 points on 7-for-10 shooting and 12 rebounds in Friday’s 124–118 NBA Cup win over Portland. Kessler is averaging 14.6 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks through 10 games.
Cam Johnson scored all 12 of his points on 3-pointers in Denver’s 128–109 win over Toronto on Wednesday. He went 4-for-10 from the field and 4-for-8 on 3-pointers, and the Nuggets outscored the Raptors by 20 points with him on the court.
Tony Bradley did not play Wednesday for Utah, then logged 56 seconds in Friday’s 112–100 NBA Cup loss at Dallas. The Jazz visit Minnesota at 7 p.m. Sunday.
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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 — 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 — 7 games, 5.1 points, 52.6 FG%, 43.8 3P%, 75 FT%
Wednesday — Spurs 112, Mavericks 111 (home) | didn’t start: 12:36, 4 points, 1–2 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1–2 FT, 2 rebounds, -2
Friday — Spurs 124, Kings 109 (road) | didn’t start: 19:02, 13 points, 4–7 FG, 2–5 3FG, 3–4 FT, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 1 foul, +4
Next game — 10 p.m. Saturday at Portland
Leaky Black, Sacramento Kings guard
Age 27 | 6–6, 209 | 4th pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
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
Season NBA statistics — 5 games, 1 start, 5.8 points, 47.6 FG%, 44.4 3P%, 1–2 FT, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.6 steals
Wednesday — Lakers 116, Kings 103 (home) | didn’t start: 22:22, 3 points, 1–4 FG, 0–3 3FG, 1–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 4 fouls, -15
Friday — Spurs 124, Kings 109 (road) | started (De’Andre Hunter was a late scratch with an illness): 39:58, 12 points, 4–7 FG, 4–7 3FG, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 5 fouls, -1
Next game — 9 p.m. Sunday vs Miami
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
Season statistics — 3 games, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 5 rebounds, 1 steal
Wednesday — Pelicans 120, Jazz 113 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Friday — Mavericks 112, Jazz 100 (road NBA Cup game) | 56 seconds, 1 rebound, -2
Next game — 7 p.m. Sunday at Minnesota
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 — 4 games, 9.0 points, 41.9 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 2–4 FT, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Wednesday — Nuggets 128, Raptors 109 (home) | started: 29:34, 12 points, 4–10 FG, 4–8 3FG, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +20
Next game — 5 p.m. Saturday vs. Indiana in Mexico City, NBATV
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 — 10 games, 14.6 points, 71.6 FG%, 57.1 FT%, 10.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.3 steal, 2.4 blocks
Wednesday — Lakers 116, Kings 103 (road) | started: 32:08, 15 points, 6–8 FG, 3–4 FT, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, 4 blocks, 6 fouls, -1
Friday — Lakers 124, Blazers 118 (home) | started: 37:00, 16 points, 7–10 FG, 2–3 FT, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 5 fouls, +8
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday at Detroit, NBATV
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 21 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $3.54 million salary | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
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
Season NBA statistics — 2 game, 0 points, 0–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 fouls,
Wednesday — Nets 114, Hornets 104 (home) | not active for game
Friday in G League opener — Greensboro Swarm 121, Long Island Nets 111 (road) | 6 points, 2–6 FG, 0–3 3FG, 1–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, -11
Next Brooklyn game — 7:30 Saturday at Atlanta
Next Long Island game — 6 p.m. Saturday at Greensboro Swarm
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 24 | 6–10, 265 | 6th season | $10 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (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 — 8 games, 7.1 points, 50.0 FG%, 2–7 3P, 68.2 FT%, 7.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 blocks
Wednesday — Nets 114, Hornets 104 (home) | started: 27:22, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, +7
Next game — 7:30 Saturday at Atlanta
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
Season statistics — 3 games, 6.0 points, 23.1 FG%, 12.5 3P%, 4–4 FT, 1.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.7 turnovers
Wednesday — Nets 114, Hornets 104 (road) | started: 18:06, 4 points, 2–9 FG, 0–5 3FG, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -15
Friday — Celtics 119, Hornets 80 (home NBA Cup game) | started: 16:27, 7 points, 1–8 FG, 1–6 3FG, 4–4 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 3 turnovers, 1 foul, -23
Next game — 7 p.m. Monday vs. Cleveland
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 — 8 games, 19.5 points, 40.9 FG%, 30.2 3P%, 69.4 FT%, 6.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.1 blocks
Wednesday — Knicks 135, Bulls 105 (road) | started: 21:45, 5 points, 2–12 FG, 1–7 3FG, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 1 foul, -22
Next game — 3:30 Saturday vs. Philadelphia
Likely out for season
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept. 15)
In G League training camp
RJ Davis, Austin Spurs guard
Age 25 | 6–0, 182 | 2nd pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
G League statistics last season (South Bay Lakers) — 49 games, 18.4 points, 46.8 FG%, 42.4 3P%, 86.4 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists
Preseason NBA statistics — 3 games, 8.8 minutes, 7 points, 27.3 FG%, 1–4 3FG, 0–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Friday’s opener — Austin Spurs 120, Rio Grande Valley Vipers 116 (road) | 19 points, 4–8 FG, 1–3 3FG, 5–5 FT, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +2
Sunday — 4 p.m. Sunday vs. Laketown Squadron
Harrison Ingram, Salt Lake City Stars forward
Age 23 | 6–6, 230 | 3rd pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
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 NBA statistics — 4 games, 7.9 minutes, 19 points, 53.3 FG%, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Season opener — Coachella Valley Lakers 104, Salt Lake City Stars 98 | started: 36 minutes, 14 points, 6–16 FG, 0–5 3FG, 1–1 FT, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, 2 turnovers, 5 fouls, -6,
Tuesday — 12:30 Tuesday vs. Rip City Remix, ESPN+
Caleb Love, Delaware Blue Coats guard
Age 25 | 6–3, 212 | 2nd pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
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 NBA 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
Season NBA statistics — 1 game, 30 seconds, no statistics
Season opener — 6 p.m. Saturday vs. Capital City Go-Go
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 26 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
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 NBA statistics — 4 games, 13.0 minutes, 4.0 points, 35.7 FG%, 30.0 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 3.2 rebounds
Season opener — Wisconsin Herd 142, Iowa Wolves 124 (road) | started: 29 minutes, 12 points, 5–7 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1–1 FT, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, +6
Sunday — 4 p.m. at Iowa Wolves, NBATV
Tyler Nickel, Westchester Knicks forward
Age 23 | 6–7, 220 | rookie season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
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 NBA 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
Season opener — Maine Celtics 123, Westchester Knicks 94 (road) | started: 29 minutes, 15 points, 5–12 FG, 5–10 3FG, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 foul, 1 steal, -13
Sunday — 12:30 at Maine Celtics, NBATV
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd guard
Age 28 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $680,984 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
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 NBA 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
Season opener — Wisconsin Herd 142, Iowa Wolves 124 (road) | started: 29 minutes, 31 points, 12–16 FG, 7–7 3FG, 6 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, +15
Sunday — 4 p.m. at Iowa Wolves, NBATV
Photo via @nbagleague
