Harrison Barnes is on a roll, and so are the Sacramento Kings. There are good vibes all around that the team and fanbase that have been missing for a long time. Barnes collected a season-high 27 points, nine rebounds and three assists Sunday night as the host Kings beat the Detroit Pistons 137–129 for their sixth straight victory. He was 10 of 11 from the free throw line, and his two free throws with 14.6 seconds left put away the win.

After a slow start to the season, Harrison Barnes has put several solid games together, and it’s not a coincidence that his Sacramento Kings have won five consecutive games. Barnes collected 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals Thursday night as the host Kings rolled to a 130–112 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

Suffering through a prolonged shooting slump, Reggie Bullock still couldn’t find the shooting stroke through three quarters on Tuesday night. Suddenly in the fourth quarter, it all came together for Bullock in the Dallas Mavericks’ 117–112 home victory over the Los Angeles Clippers after his status was uncertain entering the game because of a neck strain.

When given a chance to show his ability this season, Nassir Little has taken advantage of the opportunity and Wednesday night in New Orleans was one of those occasions. In a season-high of nearly 24 minutes, Little scored a season-high 15 points and hit some key late baskets as the Portland Trail Blazers won their third consecutive game, all on the road, with a 106–95 victory over the Pelicans.

Harrison Barnes rebounded from his worst game of the young season with his best to lead Sacramento to a big victory. Barnes, who was scoreless in Monday’s loss at Golden State, collected 20 points and nine rebounds, both season-highs, in addition to three assists and two steals, as the 4–6 Kings beat the Cleveland Cavaliers at home Wednesday 127–120.

Cameron Johnson had surgery Tuesday to remove part of his right meniscus and is expected to be out for one to two months, according to ESPN. Johnson tore his right meniscus in Friday’s home loss to Portland when he tried to plant his right leg while trying to change directions. The news is a bit of a relief, considering more extensive surgery could have ended his season.

With the most playing time for Portland all season, Nassir Little had his best night Friday in a game Cameron Johnson left early with a knee injury. Little, who had previously not played more than 19 minutes this season, scored a season-high 12 points in 23 minutes of the Portland Trail Blazers’ 108–106 road victory over the Phoenix Suns.

Cameron Johnson had one of those nights players dream about in the NBA — he was at the top of his game at both ends of the court. With star teammate Devin Booker struggling with his shot and in late foul trouble, Johnson led Phoenix to a 116–107 home victory Tuesday over Minnesota. The 6–8 Johnson, in his fourth NBA season but first as a starter, also took on the challenge of guarding 7–0 Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns.

Like so many times last season, the Phoenix Suns rolled and Cameron Johnson kept pouring in the 3-pointers. Johnson scored 19 points, including five 3-pointers, and pulled down seven rebounds, all three season-highs, as the Suns rolled to a 124–109 home victory Sunday night over the Houston Rockets.

There was good and bad for former UNC point guards Coby White and Cole Anthony on Friday, and it was all good for Cameron Johnson. Although his Chicago Bulls (3–3) lost on Friday night, White had his best game of the season. While Cole Anthony didn’t play because of an injury, he had a good day off the court because the Orlando Magic extended his contract through the 2023–24 season. Johnson scored a season-high 16 points as the 4–1 Phoenix Suns rolled to a win.

Harrison Barnes nearly equaled his point total from the first three games with 20 points on Thursday night, the second-best total by a UNC alum this season, to shake out of his early-season offensive struggles. That wasn’t enough, though, to keep Sacramento Kings from falling to 0–4 as the Kings lost at home to the Memphis Grizzlies 125–110.

Several former UNC players have begun the season struggling with their shots, and that continued this week for Cole Anthony, Reggie Bullock and Cameron Johnson, while others simply aren’t getting off many shots. Harrison Barnes gets a chance Thursday to shake off his tough start. Anthony’s poor shooting continued as Orlando fell to an NBA-worst 0–5 with a 99–89 loss at Cleveland. He was 2 of 10 from the floor and 1 of 5 on 3-point attempts, finishing with nine points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Justin Jackson finally made his season debut for the Boston Celtics on Monday night and showed that he’s still got the same sweet shooting stroke. Jackson scored six points in five minutes, making both 3-point attempts as the Celtics moved to 3–1 with a 120–102 road victory over the Chicago Bulls.