LAS VEGAS -- North Carolina leading scorer Harrison Barnes was no longer on crutches when the team left here to fly home Sunday morning to Chapel Hill, a team spokesman said in a text message.

The sophomore forward rolled his right ankle late in the first half while scrambling on the sideline for a loose ball during UNC's 90-80 loss to UNLV in the Las Vegas Invitational title game. He immediately flashed the tired signal and went to the bench. Although he waved off the trainer, he had a towel over his head for several minutes, before eventually returning to the game.

He left Orleans Arena on crutches -- a move, a team spokesman said at the time, that was a precautionary measure.

Barnes, the ACC Preseaon Player of the Year and a preseason All-American, made only 6-of-16 shots during the Tar Heels' first loss of the season, finishing with 15 points and five rebounds. He’s averaging a team-leading 17.3 points, plus 4.8 rebounds, this season.