By R.L. Bynum
By halftime, Day’Ron Sharpe had already matched the career-high in assists he had set three nights earlier. By the end of the game, the former Carolina center had his first NBA triple-double and a Brooklyn Nets record.
Sharpe finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists, the most in a game by a Nets center, in a 124–121 road loss Saturday to the Atlanta Hawks. He went 4-for-8 from the floor and 4-for-4 at the free-throw line and blocked a shot in 32 minutes.
Sharpe set up teammates on dribble handoffs, accounting for 13 of Brooklyn’s 29 assists. He had eight by halftime, matching his total from Wednesday’s victory over Charlotte.
“I got great players I’m playing with,” Sharpe told YES Network’s Meghan Triplett after the game (below video). He said the attention Atlanta paid to Michael Porter Jr. opened up backdoor cuts and chances for other teammates to drive and kick the ball out. For Sharpe, it came down to “just making the right read every time.”
Nets coach Jordi Fernández praised Sharpe’s work on both ends after that game.
“You see the eight assists, and then he went back and fought on those boards,” Fernández said, according to Roundtable Sports.
Sharpe had identified that kind of playmaking as a priority in a 2025 interview with ClutchPoints, saying he wanted to show “I’m able to be a passing hub on DHOs, pick-and-rolls, stuff like that.”
He has 21 assists over his past two games and is averaging 7.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists through nine games.
Brooklyn led by as many as 17 and was still ahead 114–110 with under two minutes to play. Dyson Daniels stripped Sharpe after a defensive rebound, and Onyeka Okongwu hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to one. Nickeil Alexander-Walker made two free throws with 1:26 left to give Atlanta its first lead. Jalen Johnson scored 30 to lead the Hawks.
Drake Powell did not play (coach’s decision) after Brooklyn recalled him from the G League’s Long Island Nets on Friday.
Elsewhere in pro basketball on Saturday involving former UNC players”
—Cameron Johnson scored 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 2 of 5 from 3-point range, as Denver beat Indiana 114–102 in Mexico City. Johnson added four rebounds, an assist and a steal in 29 minutes as a starter. He finished one point behind Nikola Jokić for the team scoring lead.
—Harrison Barnes had five points, three rebounds and a block in 19 minutes off the bench in San Antonio’s 125–103 win at Portland. He went 2-for-8 from the floor and 1-for-5 from 3-point range.
—Caleb Love, on a two-way contract with Philadelphia, did not play for the Sixers’ G League affiliate, Delaware, in its 147–122 season-opening win over the Capital City Go-Go.
Subscribe to read Tar Heel Tribune ad-free
Subscribe for a cleaner, smoother reading experience without the flashing banners, slow-loading elements, or those especially annoying pop‑up ads that interrupt the flow of the story. You’ll also get the first version of each story emailed to you. The only ads you’ll see are static, non-intrusive ads for UNC‑related books, and there are none currently on the site.
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
Season statistics — 8 games, 5.1 points, 44.4 FG%, 38.1 3P%, 75 FT%
Saturday — Spurs 125, Blazers 103 (road) | didn’t start: 19:16, 5 points, 2–8 FG, 1–5 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 1 foul, -8
Next game — 9 p.m. Monday at Phoenix
Leaky Black, Sacramento Kings guard
Age 27 | 6–6, 209 | 4th pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
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
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
Season statistics — 5 games, 10.8 points, 48.8 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 2–4 FT, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists
Saturday — Nuggets 114, Pacers 102 (in Mexico City) | started: 28:50, 18 points, 8–12 FG, 2–5 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +5
Next game — 8:30 Monday at Houston
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
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)
Season NBA statistics — 2 game, 0 points, 0–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 fouls,
Saturday — Hawks 124, Nets 121 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next Brooklyn game — 7:30 Sunday at Dallas
Next Long Island game — 7 p.m. Tuesday at College Park Skyhawks, ESPN+
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
Season statistics — 9 games, 7.7 points, 50.0 FG%, 30.0 3P%, 69.6 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.1 blocks
Saturday — Hawks 124, Nets 121 (road) | started: 32:20, 12 points, 4–8 FG, 0–2 3FG, 4–4 FT, 10 rebounds, 13 assists, 1 block, 4 turnovers, 4 fouls, +3, 16.4 game score
Next game — 7:30 Sunday at Dallas
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
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
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 Sunday vs. Philadelphia
Likely out for season
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept. 15)
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
Friday’s 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
Saturday’s opener — Delaware Blue Coats 147, Capital City Go-Go 122 (home) | not active for the game
Next game — 7 p.m. Friday vs. Maine Celtics
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
