Tar Heels in pros: White clutch as Bulls end skid; Barnes’ Spurs in NBA Cup semifinals; Davis scores 23

By R.L. Bynum

Coby White delivered a clutch performance Friday night, helping the Chicago Bulls end a seven-game losing streak in his home state.

White scored 20 points, including two free throws with 8.2 seconds left to seal a 129–126 road victory Friday over the Charlotte Hornets.

“It feels good to breathe again,” the Goldsboro native said in the locker room. “Winning cures everything.”

The Bulls (10–14) overcame a 13-point deficit in the second half, thanks in part to White’s late-game composure.

White has played in eight games since returning from a strained right calf, with at least 20 points in seven of them, averaging 21.9 points and 5.0 assists. On Sunday, White had 12 points against Golden State in a 123–91 loss.

Harrison Barnes had a big week that will conclude Saturday with San Antonio (17–7) facing Oklahoma City (24–1) in the NBA Cup West final at 9 p.m. in Las Vegas. That game follows the 5:30 East final between Orlando (15–10) and New York (17–7). Both games air on Prime Video, as does the 8:30 championship game on Tuesday.

Barnes scored a team-high 24 points in Monday’s 135–132 road win over New Orleans, then had 16 points in Wednesday’s NBA Cup West semifinal victory on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Elsewhere in the NBA for former UNC players:
— Milwaukee guard Cole Anthony contributed nine points, five assists, and three rebounds in a 116–101 Thursday win over Boston. Anthony, who scored three points in limited minutes of Saturday’s 124–112 loss to Detroit, is averaging 7.1 points and 4.1 assists in a backup role.
— Denver’s Cameron Johnson scored 16 points in Thursday’s 136–105 road blowout of Sacramento after collecting eight points and four rebounds in Sunday’s 115–106 win against Charlotte. He’s shooting 38.5% from 3-point range this season.
— Brooklyn center Day’Ron Sharpe scored 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting with three rebounds and three assists in Saturday’s 119–101 win over New Orleans. He had six points and six rebounds in Friday’s 119–111 loss to Dallas.
— Portland rookie guard Caleb Love combined for 13 points and missed all nine 3-point attempts in two games last week. He’s now shooting 24.7% from 3-point range on the season.
— Nets rookie Drake Powell only logged just over 23 minutes in their two games last week, scoring three points and dishing out three assists.
— Indiana center Tony Bradley didn’t play (coach’s decision) in Monday’s Pacers game, then had two points and two rebounds in Friday’s 115–105 loss at Philadelphia.
— Pete Nance, who is playing most of his games in the G League with the Wisconsin Herd, played in two games last week for Milwaukee. He logged about 6½ minutes and contributed five points and two rebounds.

In the G League last week:

— South Bay Lakers rookie guard RJ Davis is averaging 20.1 points through 12 games. His best of three games last week was 23 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks in Sunday’s 141–130 road win over the Rip City Remix.
— Austin Spurs forward Harrison Ingram had 21 points and nine rebounds in Wednesday’s 137–132 road victory over Texas Legends.
— Capital City Go-Go guard Leaky Black had two strong games, with 13 points and five rebounds in Wednesday’s 112–101 loss to the Maine Celtics, then 15 points and nine rebounds in Friday’s 111–77 win over Maine.
— Birmingham Squadron center Garrison Brooks combined for eight points and 11 rebounds in two games last week.

Cole Anthony, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 25 | 6–2, 185 | 6th season | $2.67 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)

Roster situation — Backup point guard behind Kevin Porter
Season statistics — 24 games, 7.1 points, 43.5 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 55.0 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists
Saturday: Pistons 124, Bucks 112 — Didn’t start; 4:46, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, +13
Thursday: Bucks 116, Celtics 101 — Didn’t start; 18:54, 9 points, 4–6 FG,1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 5 fouls, +9
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday at Brooklyn

Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 33 | 6–7, 225 | 14th season | $19 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)

Roster situation — Starting power forward ahead of Jeremy Sochan
Season statistics — 24 games, 13.5 points, 48.9 FG%, 43.4 3P%, 88.6 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Monday: Spurs 135, (at) Pelicans 132 — Started; 35:07, team-high 24 points, 9–15 FG, 4–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, -17
Wednesday: Spurs 132, (at) Lakers 119 in NBA Cup West semifinal — Started; 32:33, 16 points, 5–12 FG, 4–9 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +8
Next game — 9 p.m. Saturday at Las Vegas in NBA Cup West final vs. Oklahoma City, Prime Video

Tony Bradley, Indiana Pacers center
Age 27 | 6–10, 248 | seventh pro season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)

Roster situation — Third-string center behind Isaiah Jackson and Jay Huff
Season statistics — 22 games, 4.8 points, 58.3 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 72.4 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Monday: Pacers 116, Kings 105 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Friday: (at) Sixers 115, Pacers 105 — 8:41, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, +1
Next game — 3 p.m. Sunday vs. Washington

Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets forward
Age 29 | 6–8, 210 | 7th season | $22.54 million salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)

Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of Bruce Brown
Season statistics — 24 games, 11.4 points, 45.4 FG%, 38.5 3P%, 79.6 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Sunday: Nuggets 115, Hornets 106 — Started; 38:38, 8 points, 2–7 FG, 1–4 3FG, 3–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 fouls, +9
Thursday: Nuggets 136, (at) Kings 105 — Started; 32:34, 16 points, 6–13 FG, 1–5 3FG, 3–4 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steals, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +17
Next game — 9:30 Monday vs. Houston, Peacock

Caleb Love,Portland Trail Blazers guard
Age 24 | 6–3, 212 | Rookie season | Two-way contract | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)

Season statistics — 17 games, 8.1 points, 33.3 FG%, 24.7 3P%, 80.0 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Sunday: (at) Grizzlies 119, Blazers 96 — Didn’t start; 20:07, 4 points, 2–7 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -19
Thursday: (at) Pelicans, 143, Blazers 120 — Didn’t start; 11:55, 21:44, 9 points, 4–9 FG, 0–5 3FG, 1–1 FT, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, -9
Next game — 9 p.m. Sunday vs. Golden State

Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 20 | 6–5, 195 | Rookie season | 4-year NBA rookie contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)

Season statistics — 17 games, 5.9 points, 48.0 FG%, 36.4 3FG%, 94.4 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Saturday: Nets 119, Pelicans 101 — Didn’t start; 20:34, 3 points, 1–4 FG, 1–3 3FG, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -4
Friday: Mavericks 119, Nets 111 — Didn’t start; 2:41, 1 assist, 2 fouls, +2
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Milwaukee

Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 24 | 6–9, 265 | 5th season | $6.25 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)

Roster situation — Backup center behind Nic Claxton
Season statistics — 23 games, 7.0 points, 59.2 FG%, 27.8 3P%, 61.9 FT%, 5.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists
Saturday: Nets 119, Pelicans 101 — Didn’t start; 18:49, 16 points, 7–8 FG, 2–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -6
Friday: Mavericks 119, Nets 111 — Didn’t start; 13:26, 6 points, 1–3 FG, 4–4 FG, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -5
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Milwaukee

Coby White, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 25 | 6–4, 195 | 7th season | $12.88 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)

Roster situation — Starting shooting guard ahead of Ayo Dosunmu
Season statistics — 8 games, 21.9 points, 42.7 FG%, 29.8 3PFG, 80.0 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists
Sunday: Warriors 123, Bulls 91 — Started; 24:37, 12 points, 3–10 FG, 0–3 3FG, 6–7 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 4 turnovers, 3 fouls, -27
Sunday: Bulls 129, (at) Hornets 126 — Started; 29:39, 20 points, 6–15 FG, 1–4 3FG, 7–9 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +7
Next game — 7 p.m. Sunday vs. New Orleans

Out for season

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (torn labrum in left shoulder); season statistics: 5 games, 14.4 points, 70.3 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.8 blocks

Leaky Black, Capital City Go-Go (Wizards) guard
Age 26 | 6–6, 209 | 3rd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)

Season statistics — 12 games, 10.3 points, 40.0 FG%, 19.6 3P%, 78.6 FT%, 6.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.4 steals
Wednesday: Maine Celtics 112, Capital City 101 — Started; 38 minutes, 13 points, 4–12 FG, 1–4 3FG, 2–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 blocks, -7
Friday: Capital City 111, Maine Celtics 77 — Started; 26 minutes, 15 points, 5–8 FG, 3–4 3FG, 1–1 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 block, +17
Next game — 2 p.m. Sunday vs. Delaware Blue Coats

Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)

Season statistics — 10 games, 5.6 points, 44.0 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.5 of a block
Sunday: Texas Legends 121, (at) Birmingham 91 — Didn’t start; 4 points, 1–3 FG, 2–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 foul, 5 turnovers, 1 block, -16
Tuesday: Texas Legends 130, (at) Birmingham 94 — Didn’t start; 20 minutes, 2 points, 1–6 FG, 0–2 3FG, 6 rebounds, 1 foul, 3 turnovers, -22
Thursday: Birmingham 103, (at) Oklahoma City Blue 101 — Didn’t start; 17 minutes, 6 points, 2–4 FG, 1–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 fouls, 1 steal, +3
Next game — 4 p.m. Sunday vs. Rio Grande Valley Vipers

RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)

Season statistics — 12 games, 20.1 points, 43.9 FG%, 36.1 3P%, 88.6 FT%, 4.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals
Sunday: South Bay 141, Rip City Remix 130 (road) — Started; 31 minutes, 23 points, 7–15 FG, 2–7 3FG, 5–5 FT, 7 rebounds, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 5 turnovers, 2 blocks, -1
Tuesday: Stockton Kings 112, South Bay 99 (road) — Started; 32 minutes, 18 points, 6–17 FG, 2–8 3FG, 3–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 block, -12
Wednesday: Stockton Kings 110, South Bay 98 (road) — Started; 12 minutes, 5 points, 1–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 1–2 FT, 1 rebound, 2 fouls, 1 turnover, -9
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday vs. Rip City Remix

Harrison Ingram, Austin Spurs forward
Age 23 | 6–5, 230 | 2nd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)

Season NBA statistics — 3 games, 11 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +13
Season G League statistics — 7 games, 15.1 points, 47.7 FG%, 34.6 3P%, 60.0 FT%, 10.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.4 steals
Monday: Austin 110, (at) Mexico City Capitanes 107 — Didn’t play
Wednesday: Austin 117, (at) Mexico City Capitanes 104 — Didn’t start; 27 minutes, 9 points, 3–10 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2–3 FT, 10 rebounds, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +10
Wednesday: Austin 138, (at) Texas Legends 132 — Didn’t start; 34 minutes, 21 points, 9–18 FG, 3–7 3FG, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 fouls, 2 steals, 1 block, +7
Next game — 8:30 Saturday at Texas Legends

Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)

Season G League statistics — 6 games, 20.0 points, 60.8 FG%, 45.2 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 blocks
Season NBA statistics — 6 games, 17 minutes, 18 points, 7–11 FG, 4–8 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Saturday in NBA: Pistons 124, Bucks 112 — 4:46, 3 points, 1–3 FG, 1–3 3FG, 1 rebound, +13
Thursday in NBA: Bucks 116, Celtics 101 — 1:53, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1 rebound, -3
Next game — 1 p.m. Saturday vs. Grand Rapids Gold

Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)

Season statistics — 3 games, 17.7 points, 48.7 FG%, 38.9 3P%, 6–6 FT, 3.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steal
Sunday: Noblesville Boom 111, Wisconsin 109 — Inactive for game
Wednesday: Wisconsin 114, Motor City Cruise 112 — Didn’t play
Thursday: Noblesville Boom 118, Wisconsin 87 — Didn’t start; 14 points, 5–15 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, -29
Next game — 1 p.m. Saturday vs. Grand Rapids Gold

Photo via @chicagobulls