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UNC Basketball: Harrison Barnes GOES OFF in season-opening win

By Blake Cockrum

PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 20: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after his three point basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter at Moda Center on October 20, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 20: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after his three point basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter at Moda Center on October 20, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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Former UNC basketball standout Harrison Barnes came out firing in game one against the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Sacramento Kings lost 10 of their final 15 games last season, but Harrison Barnes wasn’t having any of that in Wednesday night’s road season-opener against the Portland Trail Blazers.

The former North Carolina Tar Heels standout and 10-year NBA veteran affectionately known as the “Black Falcon” came out firing against a Damian Lillard-led Portland team looking to make it back to the NBA Playoffs for the ninth time in as many seasons. They won’t, though, if Barnes has anything to say about it.

The 29-year-old wing that scored 30 points just once all last season absolutely torched the Blazers with a game-high (and career-high) 36 on a 10-for-19 shooting performance. He knocked down 8-of-11 shots from the three-point range, and converted 8-of-9 at the free throw line. Add to it his nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and zero-turnover output in a team-high 37 minutes of play, and Barnes turned in one of the best performances we’ve seen from him in years.

He out-dueled Portland sharpshooter C.J. McCollum, who scored a team-high 34 points on 14-of-24 from the floor and 6-of-11 from beyond the arc. Lillard had a tough shooting night, going 8-for-24 for the game and 0-for-9 from long-range, though he did pull down six rebounds and dish out 11 assists to just one turnover.

But as far as the Black Falcon is concerned, he and his running mates will look to recreate their game one magic against the Blazers when they take the court on Friday night against the Utah Jazz. If Barnes can play anywhere near the level that he did on Wednesday, and get balanced scoring from the rest of his team again — three other Kings scored at least 17 points against the Blazers — then Sacramento may finally get over the hump and make the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

Next. Simeon Wilcher is recruiting another five-star player. dark

Check back with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on Harrison Barnes, and UNC basketball alumni throughout the NBA.

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