Johnson hits 28, 6 3s, but Barnes’ Spurs advance in Cup; White scores 25; Brooks playing for USA

By R.L. Bynum

In a pivotal NBA Cup battle between the Tar Heels on Friday night, Cameron Johnson capped a strong week with his best game as a Denver Nugget. But it wasn’t enough against Harrison Barnes’ San Antonio Spurs.

Johnson scored a season-high 28 points (10 of 16 from the floor and 6 of 9 from 3-point range) for a season-high 22.6 game score, but the Spurs rallied from an 18-point deficit for a 139–136 road victory to clinch the West Group C title (view final standings) and the No. 3 West seed.

Barnes contributed 10 points, five assists and three rebounds while battling foul trouble for San Antonio, who advanced to a 10 p.m. Dec. 10 quarterfinal home match against the No. 2-seed Los Angeles Lakers (Amazon).

There are no other teams with former UNC players among the eight quarterfinalists (view the bracket here), with the No. 1 Oklahoma Thunder hosting the No. 4 Phoenix Suns in the other West quarterfinal, and the East matchups on Dec. 9 featuring the No. 1 East seed Orlando Magic against the No. 4 Miami Heat and the No. 2 Toronto Raptors against the No. 3 New York Knicks.

Johnson’s big game came after impressive showings last Saturday in a 128–123 loss to Sacramento (20 points, four 3-pointers, five rebounds and four assists) and a 125–115 Monday win at Memphis (18 points, six rebounds).

It was Johnson’s best game since pouring in 37 points with a 28.8 game score for Brooklyn in a 113–98 loss at Philadelphia last season on Nov. 22, 2024.

Barnes also scored in double figures in two earlier games this week, a 111–102 loss to Phoenix (11 points, three rebounds) and a 115–102 NBA Cup win Wednesday over Portland (13 points, five rebounds, three steals),

Here’s a look at how other Tar Heels did in the last week:

Coby White
White continued his scoring surge, averaging 24.5 points in two Chicago Bulls losses. He had 24 points Monday against New Orleans and 25 Friday versus Charlotte, though his three-point shooting dipped (4 of 16 combined). Through five games, he’s averaging 24.2 points per game.

Cole Anthony
Anthony’s week for the Milwaukee Bucks was uneven: four points Saturday against Detroit, 16 points Monday against Portland on 8 of 12 shooting, two points Wednesday versus Miami and seven Friday against New York.

Caleb Love
Love scored 13 points and three 3-pointers in Portland’s Monday 115–103 win at Milwaukee. But he struggled in other games, including a 1-point outing Wednesday against San Antonio and 13 in Sunday’s loss at Oklahoma City (3 of 13 from the floor and 1 of 8 from 3-point range).

Drake Powell and Day’Ron Sharpe
Brooklyn lost all three games last week, but the highlight was Drake Powell’s 15 points and four assists on Monday in the 113–100 loss to New York, when Sharpe had eight rebounds. Powell combined for 10 points in the other two games, and Sharpe totaled 13 points in the three games. Powell’s 15 points tied his career high, which he also scored against the Knicks on Nov. 9.

Tony Bradley
Bradley saw limited minutes, scoring five points Friday against Washington after not playing Wednesday. He has become a depth option at center for the Indiana Pacers behind Isaiah Jackson and Jay Huff.

Leaky Black
Black continues to show his versatility in the G League for the Capital City Go-Go. Through six games, he’s averaging 10.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.5 steals. He had two strong games in the last week, scoring 11 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in Friday’s win over Greensboro after collecting 12 points and three assists in Saturday’s narrow loss to Westchester.

RJ Davis
The South Bay Lakers rookie is averaging 21.2 points while shooting nearly 49% from the field and 38.5% from 3-point range. Sunday, in his only game last week, Davis came off the bench to score 22 points in 33 minutes, adding three blocks in a win over Santa Cruz. South Bay faces San Diego on Saturday night.

Harrison Ingram
In five G League games for the Austin Spurs, Ingram is averaging 15.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists. He registered a double-double in Sunday’s 130–123 win over Rio Grande with 17 points and 16 rebounds. Ingram, who turned 23 on Thursday, hasn’t played for San Antonio since Nov. 2 and didn’t play in Austin’s games Monday and Friday.

Garrison Brooks
Brooks is away from the Birmingham Squadron because he’s playing for the USA Men’s World Cup Qualifying Team and was part of a five-day training camp in Miami. The team opened Group A play Friday in Managua, Nicaragua, with a 102–67 victory. Brooks had four points, five rebounds and three assists in 13 minutes. The U.S. faces Nicaragua again on Monday in College Park, Ga.

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 — 18 games, 8.3 points, 41.3 FG%, 25.5 3P%, 58.8 FT%, 3.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists
Saturday: Pistons 129, Bucks 116 — Didn’t start; 14:13, 4 points, 2–5 FG, 0–2 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 5 turnovers, +10
Monday: Trail Blazers 115, Bucks 103 — Didn’t start; 17:41, 16 points, 8–12 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, -15
Wednesday: Heat 106, Bucks 103 — Didn’t start; 11:08, 2 points, 0–7 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -10
Friday: Knicks 118, Bucks 109 — Didn’t start; 11:08, 6:59, 7 points, 3–3 FG, 1–3 FT, 2 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -9
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday vs. 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 — 17 games, 12.9 points, 52.4 FG%, 44.9 3P%, 87.5 FT%, 3.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Sunday: Suns 111, Spurs 102 — Started; 34:45, 11 points, 5–11 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +1
Wednesday: Spurs 115, Blazers 102 (NBA Cup game) — Started; 36:23, 13 points, 5–11 FG, 2–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +4
Friday: Spurs 139, Nuggets 136 (NBA Cup game to win West Group C) — Started; 30:52, 10 points, 4–11 FG, 1–6 3FG, 1–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 5 fouls, -1
Next game — 8 p.m. Sunday at Minnesota

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 — 18 games, 4.9 points, 59.0 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 69.6 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 0.7 of an assist
Monday: Pistons 122, Pacers 117 — Didn’t start, 6:26, 0 points, 1 rebound, 2 fouls, -11
Wednesday: Raptors 97, Pacers 95 (NBA Cup game) — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Friday: Pacers 119, Wizards 86 (NBA Cup game) — Didn’t start, 7:47, 5 points, 2–2 FG, 1–2 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 foul, +4
Next game — 7:30 Saturday vs. Chicago

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 — 17 games, 11.0 points, 46.8 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 84.4 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Saturday: Kings 128, Nuggets 123 — Started; 37:14, 20 points, 7–11 FG, 4–7 3FG, 2–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 1 foul, +3
Monday: Nuggets 125, Grizzlies 115 (road) — Started; 35:32, 18 points, 6–10 FG, 3–4 3FG, 3–3 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, +4
Friday: Spurs 139, Nuggets 136 (NBA Cup game) — Started; 37:45, 28 points, 10–16 FG, 6–9 3FG, 2–2FT, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, +7
Next game — 9 p.m. Saturday at Phoenix

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

Season statistics — 11 games, 7.9 points, 31.7 FG%, 25.8 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 3.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Sunday: Thunder 122, Blazers 95 (road) — Didn’t start; 25:45, 8 points, 3–13 FG, 1–8 3FG, 1–2 FT, 2 rebound, 2 assists, 2 fouls, 1 foul, -27
Monday: Trail Blazers 115, Bucks 103 (road) — Didn’t start; 26:14, 13 points, 5–13 FG, 3–8 3FG, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, 4 fouls, +5
Wednesday: Spurs 115, Blazers 10 — Didn’t start; 1 point, 0–4 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1–2 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -13
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Oklahoma City

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

Season statistics — 13 games, 6.7 points, 50.9 FG%, 38.1 3FG%, 93.3 FT%, 1.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Sunday: Raptors 119, Nets 109 — Didn’t start; 14:28, 6 points, 1–2 FG, 4–4 FT, 1 rebound, 2 assist, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -10
Monday: Knicks 113, Nets 100 — Didn’t start; 23:55, 15 points, 5–10 FG, 2–6 3FG, 3–4 FT, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -20
Friday: 76ers 115, Nets 103 (NBA Cup game) — Didn’t start; 20:36, 4 points, 1–2 FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -4
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday at 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 — 17 games, 6.5 points, 62.1 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 61.5 FT%, 5.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Sunday: Raptors 119, Nets 109 — Didn’t start; 16:43, 5 points, 2–2 FG, 1–4 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -4
Monday: Knicks 113, Nets 100 — Didn’t start; 21:43, 5 points, 2–4 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, +4
Friday: 76ers 115, Nets 103 (NBA Cup game) — Didn’t start; 10:09, 3 points, 1–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -4
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday at 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 — 5 games, 24.2 points, 44.7 FG%, 34.1 3PFG, 81.1 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Monday: Pelicans 143, Bulls 130 — Started; 35:15, 24 points, 7–15 FG, 3–10 3FG, 7–10 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 5 turnovers, 1 foul, -1
Friday: Hornets 123, Bulls 116 (NBA Cup game) — Started; 29:09, 25 points, 11–23 FG, 1–6 3FG, 2–3 FT, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, +3
Next game — 7:30 Saturday at Indiana

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 — 6 games, 10.8 points, 43.9 FG%, 17.4 3P%, 77.8 FT%, 5.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 2.5 steals
Saturday: Westchester Knicks 112, Capital City 107 — Started; 12 points, 5–10 FG, 0–4 3FG, 1–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, -3
Friday: Capital City 109, Greensboro Swarm 107 — Started; 11 points, 5–15 FG, 1–5 3FG, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, 4 steals
Next game — 2 p.m. Sunday vs. Greensboro Swarm

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

Season statistics —4 games, 3.0 points, 45.7 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.5 of a block
Sunday: Mexico City Capitanes 120, Birmingham 97 — Didn’t play
Monday: Mexico City Capitanes 115, Birmingham 102 — Didn’t play
Friday: United States 102, Nicaragua 67 in World Cup qualifying — Didn’t start; 13:11, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 fouls, 1 turnover, +17
Next game — 7 p.m. Monday: U.S. vs. Nicaragua in College Park, Ga.., streaming on Courtside1891

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

Season statistics — 6 games, 21.2 points, 48.3 FG%, 38.5 3P%, 87.7 FT%, 4.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.0 block
Sunday: South Bay 108, Santa Cruz Warriors 105 — Didn’t start; 33 minutes, 22 points, 7–14 FG, 2–8 3FG, 3–3 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 fouls, 1 turnover, 3 blocks, +1
Next game — 10 p.m. Saturday at San Diego Clippers

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 — 5 games, 15.2 points, 50.0 FG%, 35.3 3P%, 58.3 FT%, 11.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.4 steals
Sunday: Austin 130, Rio Grande Valley Vipers 123 — Started; 28 minutes, 17 points, 6–9 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2–3 FT, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 fouls, 2 turnovers, +20
Monday: Austin 118, Rio Grande Valley Vipers 100 — Didn’t play
Friday: Austin 116, Oklahoma City Blue 110 — Didn’t play
Next game — 2 p.m. Sunday vs. Oklahoma City Blue

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

Season statistics — 5 games, 21.8 points, 63.2 FG%, 48.1 3P%, 85.7 FT%, 8.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.4 blocks
Saturday: Sioux Falls Skyforce 101, Herd 98 — Inactive for game
Tuesday: Herd 118, Motor City Cruise 111 — Didn’t play
Next game — 3 p.m. Sunday at Noblesville Boom

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

Season statistics — 2 games, 19.5 points, 58.3 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 4–4 FT, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steal
Saturday: Sioux Falls Skyforce 101, Herd 98 — Didn’t play
Tuesday: Herd 118, Motor City Cruise 111 — Didn’t play
Next game — 3 p.m. Sunday at Noblesville Boom

Photo via @nuggets