The long-awaiting Portland Trail Blazers trade of Damian Lillard has finally happened as part of a reported three-team megadeal that will send former North Carolina forward Nassir Little to the Phoenix Suns.
Category: NBA
Cam Johnson, fresh from lucrative extension with Nets, hits 15 to lead U.S. victory
Cameron Johnson is off to an excellent start playing for the United States basketball team that is preparing for the World Cup. Johnson came off the bench to share team-high scoring honors with 15 points in his debut in a USA uniform, a 117–74 victory over Puerto Rico on Monday night in Las Vegas in an exhibition game.
Black signs two-way contract with Charlotte
After playing for the Charlotte Hornets’ Summer League team, Leaky Black’s reported two-way contract with the team became official on Wednesday.
Heels in Summer League: Nance wins title, Manek productive, Black gets few chances
Pete Nance won a championship, but Brady Manek was the most productive of the four UNC alums who played in the NBA Summer League. Meanwhile, Leaky Black got few chances to show what he could do, and Garrison Brooks had some solid games.
Tar Heels in NBA: Barnes, Johnson both score 17 points, but their teams suffer frustrating losses
It was a rough night for Harrison Barnes and Cameron Johnson as they both scored 17 points but their teams lost Game 3s in their NBA first-round series Thursday. It was particularly frustrating for Johnson, whose Brooklyn Nets made a game of it but missed chances to win it or tie it at the end as Philadelphia took a 3–0 series lead with a 102–97 victory in Brooklyn.
Tar Heels in NBA: Johnson sensational in 22-point first half, but Nets fall to Sixers; Barnes scores 13 as Kings go up 2–0 on Warriors
Relentless, red-hot and fearless. Cameron Johnson was all that for Brooklyn on Monday night for one half, but, again, it wasn’t enough. Harrison Barnes again was a steady force as Sacramento took a 2–0 lead on Golden State. Johnson scored 22 points and had Joel Embiid flailing with a one-handed dunk in his face, followed by a stare-down of the 7-footer, in the first half. He added only six points in the second half, though, as the Philadelphia 76ers took a 2–0 series lead with a 96–84 victory over the Nets on Monday night.
Tar Heels in NBA: Barnes scores 13, huge 3, in Kings win; Johnson’s best career playoff game isn’t enough; Green sits for Cavs’ loss
In a festive, college-type atmosphere in Sacramento, Harrison Barnes scored 13 points and a big late 3-pointer as the Kings won their first playoff game in 17 years. Cameron Johnson’s best career playoff game wasn’t enough for his Brooklyn Nets. Against the Golden State Warriors, where Barnes began his NBA career and won a league title in 2015, the Kings pulled out a 126–123 victory in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series in a highly entertaining game.
Tar Heels in NBA: White scores 14, huge 3s but gets taken out late in Bulls loss; four other UNC alums open playoffs Saturday
Where was Coby White with the game on the line at the end? That’s what many on social media wanted to know after his 3-pointer with 3:47 left (shown below) gave the Chicago Bulls a three-point lead. The Miami Heat outscored Chicago 15–1 the rest of the way, going on to a 102–91 victory in a play-in tournament elimination game to end the Bulls’ season.
Tar Heels in NBA: White perfect from floor, has nine points, five assists as Bulls advance; four other UNC alums open playoffs Saturday
Coby White scored all nine of his points in the second quarter as the Chicago Bulls became the first No. 10 seed to win a play-in tournament, rallying from a 19-point second-half deficit to win 109–105 Wednesday night in Toronto. The other four UNC alums in the postseason play their playoff openers on Saturday.
Tar Heels in NBA: Pinson’s triple-double highlights final day of regular season: five UNC alums begin postseason play this week
Theo Pinson’s career-best triple-double performance was the highlight as the NBA finished its regular season, and only five UNC alums will play in the postseason. Heading to the Eastern Conference play-in tournament are Coby White’s Chicago Bulls. Harrison Barnes’ Sacramento Kings, Cameron Johnson, Day’Ron Sharpe and the Brooklyn Nets, and Danny Green’s Cleveland Cavaliers all secured spots in first-round playoff series.
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