By R.L. Bynum

Caleb Wilson’s first NBA preseason game gave Chicago Bulls fans a glimpse of what they have been waiting for, along with a reminder of how much faster the pro game moves.

The No. 4 overall pick scored a team-high 15 points in Chicago’s 124–117 win over Phoenix on Wednesday at the United Center as he started alongside Matas Buzelis.

Wilson finished 6-for-16 from the floor, missing all four 3-point attempts but making all three free-throw tries with four rebounds, two assists and a steal in 29 minutes.

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His first NBA preseason basket was on a fadeaway mid-range shot with 6:01 left in the first quarter after a pivot and a spin. His first dunk came in transition with 8:58 left in the first half, and he added a reverse layup that drew a foul later in that quarter.

Wilson said he knows how those plays register with fans, and that he wants his game to stand out from the start.

“Preseason might not count statistically or anything like that, but honestly we’re all visual, and if you see something that you think is impressive, you’re going to gravitate towards it,” Wilson told the Chicago Sun-Times.

He also spent part of the night learning what the league has in store for him. Phoenix’s Dillon Brooks scored 24 points and sometimes got the better of Wilson, at one point forcing him into turnaround jumpers that came up short.

“[Brooks] wanted to prove something to Caleb, and he learned a great lesson from him,” Bulls coach Tiago Splitter said in an interview on The Chicago Sports Network. “The way this league is — aggressive.”

Wilson gave himself a B for the game, according to the Sun-Times.

“I made mistakes but that’s to be expected. Also knowing that most of the stuff I messed up on I can fix,” he said.

Wilson said he’s been working on his defense.

“I always felt like I could guard but the NBA is way more physical, a lot more communication, so I’ve been working on that,” Wilson said.

Wilson’s next two preseason games are on national TV: 8 p.m. Friday at home against Memphis (NBATV) and 9 p.m. Sunday at Denver (ESPN).

Coby White strains calf, to miss preseason

The most worrisome news among the former Tar Heels came from Charlotte, where the Hornets announced Monday that Coby White suffered a left calf strain in training camp and will miss the preseason.

The team has not said whether he will be ready for the Oct. 21 regular-season opener at Brooklyn. In its statement, the team said, “Additional updates on White will be provided as appropriate.”

White signed a three-year, $74 million contract this summer and is expected to take over as the starting point guard after the Hornets traded LaMelo Ball to Minnesota. He is the second projected Hornets starter hurt before the season, joining second-year guard and former Duke star Kon Knueppel, who has a hamstring strain.

White has dealt with calf issues for more than a year. He strained his right calf in August 2025, battled strains in both legs last season and was limited to a career-low 50 games. The Bulls and Hornets amended the terms of his February trade after a physical revealed the left calf injury.

Without White, Brooklyn rolled to a 124–90 win in Charlotte over the Hornets on Tuesday.

Drake Powell scored nine points in 12 minutes off the bench for the Nets while Day’Ron Sharpe started at center and had eight points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 18 minutes.

Caleb Love plays well in Sixers debut

Caleb Love came off the bench in the Philadelphia 76ers’ 120–97 win over the reigning champion New York Knicks, collecting 15 points, three 3-pointers, six assists, three rebounds and two blocks in 23 minutes. His +18 was the best among Sixers reserves.

Love hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the first half in front of the Sixers bench.

Knicks center Tony Bradley scored two points in six minutes,

Elsewhere in the league

— Cameron Johnson has started both of Denver’s preseason games, scoring eight points in a 109–97 loss to Utah on Sunday and 10 points with two 3-pointers in a 117–106 win over the Jazz on Tuesday.
— Harrison Ingram scored six points in 12 minutes in that Utah win over Denver in his Jazz debut, then had seven points, five rebounds and two assists in less than eight minutes in Tuesday’s loss to the Nuggets.
— Milwaukee’s two former Tar Heels are in the thick of roster fights. Pete Nance played seven minutes in Monday’s 116–97 loss at Minnesota with three points on a 3-pointer, then had six points and five rebounds in 13 minutes Wednesday in the Bucks’ 128–126 win over Oklahoma City. Cormac Ryan did not play Monday, then scored two points in 11 minutes against the Thunder, with two rebounds and a steal.
— Walker Kessler, the Lakers’ projected starting center, sat out their first two preseason games after jamming a finger.
— Sacramento’s Leaky Black, who is competing for a roster spot and is likely headed to the G League, also did not play in the Kings’ 127–103 loss.
—Harrison Barnes and RJ Davis open San Antonio’s preseason Thursday at 8 p.m. against Atlanta.

Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 34 | 6–7, 225 | 15th season | $8 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)

Roster situation — Reserve forward
Final statistics last season — 77 games, 9.9 points, 45.6 FG%, 38.8 3P%, 82.9 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Team record last season: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Atlanta
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock

Leaky Black, Sacramento Kings guard
Age 27 | 6–6, 209 | 4th season | $2.45 million salary | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)

Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
Final G League statistics last season (Capital City) — 38 games, 10.3 points, 45.6 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals
Final NBA statistics last season (Wizards) — 15 games, 7.1 points, 38.8 FG%, 34.5 3FG%, 87.5 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals
Preseason opener — Lakers 127, Kings 103 (Monday) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next exhibition — 10:30 Thursday at Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN2
Season opener — 10:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Los Angeles Clippers

Tony Bradley, New York Knicks center
Age 28 | 6–10, 248 | 8th pro season | Exhibit 9 contract | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)

Final statistics last season — 41 games, 4.0 points, 54.7 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Preseason opener — 76ers 120, Knicks 97 (Monday) | didn’t start: 6:05, 2 points, 1–1 FG, -2
Next exhibition — 7:30 Thursday vs. Washington, NBATV
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Philadelphia, NBC

RJ Davis, San Antonio Spurs guard
Age 24 (turns 25 Oct. 21) | 6–0, 182 | second season | $1.35 million salary | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)

Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season (South Bay) — 49 games, 18.4 points, 46.8 FG%, 42.4 3P%, 86.4 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists
Team record last season: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Atlanta
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock

Harrison Ingram, Utah Jazz forward
Age 23 (turns 24 Oct. 21) | 6–6, 230 | second season | $2.45 million salary | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)

Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
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
Team record last season: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Preseason opener — Jazz 109, Nuggets 97 (Sunday) | didn’t start: 12:00, 6 points, 3–7 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, two fouls, +1
Tuesday’s exhibition — Nuggets 117, Jazz 106 | didn’t start: 7:35, 7 points, 3–5 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, +5
Next exhibition — 9 p.m. Monday vs. San Antonio
Season opener — 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Phoenix

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
Final statistics last season — 54 games, 12.2 points, 48.0 FG%, 43.0 3P%, 83.9 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record last season: 54–28, 3rd in Western Conference
Preseason opener — Jazz 109, Nuggets 97 (Sunday) | started: 15:20, 8 points, 3–7 FG, 2–6 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 3 fouls, -7
Tuesday’s exhibition — Nuggets 117, Jazz 106 | started: 15:20, 10 points, 4–7 FG, 2–3 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 fouls, +6
Next exhibition — 9 p.m. Sunday vs. Chicago, ESPN
Season opener — 9:30 Thursday, Oct. 22, at Oklahoma City, ESPN

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
Final statistics last season (Utah) — 5 games, 14.4 points, 70.3 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks
Preseason opener — Lakers 127, Kings 103 (Monday) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision; suffered jammed finger)
Tuesday’s exhibition — Warriors 124, Lakers 98 | Didn’t play (coach’s decision; suffered jammed finger)
Next exhibition — 10:30 Thursday vs. Sacramento, ESPN2
Season opener — 10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Golden State, ESPN

Caleb Love, Philadelphia 76ers guard
Age 25 | 6–3, 212 | 2nd season | $678,882 salary | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)

Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
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 opener — Sixers 120, Knicks 97 (Monday) | didn’t start: 23:33, 15 points, 4–10 FG, 3–6 3FG, 4–6 FT, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, +18
Next exhibition — 7:30 Thursday at Brooklyn
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at New York, NBC

Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | $2.76 million salary | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)

Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
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
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Preseason opener — Timberwolves 116, Bucks 97 (Monday) | didn’t start: 6:42, 3 points, 1–1 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1 rebound, -4
Wednesday’s exhibition — Bucks 128, Thunder 126 | didn’t start: 12:35, 6 points, 2–5 FG, 2–4 3FG, 5 rebounds, 1 turnovers, 2 fouls, +4
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Sunday at Charlotte
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Washington

Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 21 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $3.54 million salary | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)

Roster situation — Backup 2 guard behind Egor Demin
Final regular-season NBA statistics — 63 games, 6.5 points, 40.2 FG%, 28.0 3FG%, 89.6 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Final regular-season G League statistics — 5 games, 11.8 points, 44.2 FG%, 36.4 3FG%, 72.7 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Preseason opener — Nets 124, Hornets 90 (Tuesday) | didn’t start: 12:32, 9 points, 4–6 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, team-high +20
Next exhibition — 7:30 Thursday vs. Philadelphia
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Charlotte

Cormac Ryan, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $680,985 salary | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)

Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
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
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Preseason opener — Timberwolves 116, Bucks 97 (Monday) | didn’t play
Wednesday’s exhibition — Bucks 128, Thunder 126 | didn’t start: 11:12, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnovers, 4 fouls, +9
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Sunday at Charlotte
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Washington

Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 25 | 6–10, 265 | 6th season | $10 million salary | UNC 2020–22 (1 season)

Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Moritz Wagner
Final statistics last season — 62 games, 8.7 points, 60.1 FG%, 23.1 3FG%, 67.8 FT%, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Preseason opener — Nets 124, Hornets 90 (Tuesday) | started: 17:56, 8 points, 4–9 FG, 0–2 3FG, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, +19
Next exhibition — 7:30 Thursday vs. Philadelphia
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Charlotte

Henri Veesaar, Atlanta Hawks center
Age 22 | 7–0, 227 | rookie season| 1.35 million salary | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)

Roster situation — Likely out for the season after tearing right ACL on Sept. 15
Statistics last season (UNC) — 31 games, 17.0 points, 60.8 FG%, 42.6 3P%, 61.5 FT%, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 blocks

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
Statistics last season (Bulls, Hornets) — 50 games, 17.4 points, 44.6 FG%, 36.2 3PFG, 81.7 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Team record: 44–38, 9th in Eastern Conference
Will miss preseason after suffering a left calf strain during training camp
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Brooklyn

Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 20 | 6–10, 215 | Rookie season | $10.28 million salary | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)

Roster situation — Starting power forward ahead of Patrick Williams
Statistics last season (UNC) — 24 games, 19.8 points, 57.8 FG%, 25.9 3P%, 71.3 FT%, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.4 blocks
Preseason opener — Bulls 124, Suns 117 (Wednesday) | started: 29:06, team-high 15 points, 6–16 FG, 0–4 3FG, 3–3 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 5 fouls, -3
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Friday vs. Memphis, NBATV (Sunday’s 9 p.m. game at Denver is on ESPN)
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Toronto

Photo via @chicagobulls

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