By R.L. Bynum
On back-to-back nights, rookie Caleb Love delivered big games and helped the Portland Trail Blazers to victories while Cameron Johnson and Coby White dealt with injuries.
On Monday, he scored 24 points and knocked down six 3-pointers to lead Portland to a thrilling 125–122 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, outplaying fellow rookie and former Duke star Cooper Flagg. That came after he scored 18 points and four 3-pointers in the Blazers’ 114–108 win Sunday over Boston.
On Monday, Love was locked in from behind the arc, hitting four 3-pointers in the second half and finishing 8 of 15 from the floor. He hit a 3-pointer with 2:31 left (above video) to give Portland the lead and sank two clutch free throws with 53.2 seconds left to give Portland the lead for good.
“I just wanted to stay aggressive,” Love said. “My teammates kept finding me in spots where I could make plays, and once I saw a couple go down, I knew I had to keep shooting.”
Portland had to sweat a late shot from Klay Thompson that would have tied it.
“I was just praying he didn’t make it,” Love said. “When he pumped faked, I had already jumped, and I was just trying to take the three away. He almost got it in. I just wanted to take the three away.”
Flagg finished with 18 points and nine rebounds but struggled from beyond the arc, going 1-for-6 from three. Love’s perimeter shooting and late-game poise proved decisive.
“Those moments are why you play the game,” Love said. “I love the big stage, and I wanted to make sure we closed it out.”
Acting Portland head coach Tiago Splitter praised Love’s composure.
“Caleb was huge for us tonight,” Splitter said. “He didn’t just hit shots — he hit timely shots. That’s what separates good players from great ones.”
Love also highlighted the team’s execution down the stretch.
“We’re not panicking,” he said. “When we get down, we’re not coming down and shooting a crazy shot. We’re getting to where we want and executing the plays.”
It was Love’s third game with at least 20 points this season and second with at least six 3-pointers.
“I trust my work. I came a long way, and I’ve been in these moments before in college, and throughout my whole career,” Love said. “So, my teammates believe in me, my coaches believe in me, and I just come up and try to make the best play possible.”
In the last three games, he’s averaging 18.7 points and shooting 13 of 27 from 3-point range, including scoring 14 points and three 3-pointers in Friday’s 110–103 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Johnson, in his first season with Denver, is expected to miss at least a month after hyperextending his right knee last week.
White left Chicago’s 136–101 loss to Minnesota after only 6½ minutes, suffering a right calf strain, an issue that forced him to miss the preseason and the first 11 games of the regular season. That came after combining for 29 points as the Bulls split two games over the weekend.
Elsewhere among former UNC players in the NBA:
— Harrison Barnes scored 15 points in San Antonio’s 130–110 Christmas Day win over Oklahoma City. But he had only three points in each of the two games since then, both losses, going 2-for-11 from the floor.
— The offseason trade from Orlando to Milwaukee continues to go poorly for guard Cole Anthony. He played 3½ scoreless minutes on Friday and didn’t play (coach’s decision) in the two Bucks games since then.
— Tony Bradley, who continues to play sparingly for Indiana, has combined for seven points in the Pacers’ last three games with nine rebounds.
— Brooklyn rookie Drake Powell had seven points and two assists in Saturday’s win over Minnesota, but managed just two points Monday vs. Golden State.
— Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe had 10 points and made all five shots on Saturday, but only had three points on Monday.
— Pete Nance played 3½ scoreless minutes for the Bucks on Friday.
In G League games since Christmas:
— Harrison Ingram collected 26 points and 14 rebounds in the Austin Spurs 109–105 victory Saturday over the Mexico City Capitanes.
— Cormac Ryan scored 23 points and four 3-pointers while pulling down six rebounds and getting three steals in his Wisconsin Herd’s 125–111 Saturday loss to the Grand Rapids Gold.
— RJ Davis collected 13 points and 11 rebounds in the South Bay Lakers’ 124–123 Saturday loss to the Oklahoma City Blue.
— Leaky Black had nine points and 12 rebounds for Capital City in its 122–100 road win Saturday over the College Park Skyhawks
— Garrison Brooks didn’t play in either of the Birmingham Squadron’s games over the weekend
Cole Anthony, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 25 | 6–2, 185 | 6th season | $2.67 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string point guard behind Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins
Season statistics — 27 games, 6.5 points, 42.8 FG%, 28.5 3P%, 59.1 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists
Team record: 14–19, 11th in Eastern Conference
Friday: Grizzlies 125, Bucks 104 — 3:26, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, -2
Saturday: Bucks 112, (at) Bulls 103 and Monday: Bucks 123, (at) Hornets 113— Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Washington
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 Keldon Johnson
Season statistics — 32 games, 12.3 points, 46.1 FG%, 39.4 3P%, 88.7 FT%, 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 23–9, 2nd in Western Conference
Thursday: Spurs 130, Thunder 110 — Started; 30:25, 15 points, 5–12 FG, 3–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, +2
Saturday: Jazz 127, Spurs 114 — Started; 22:47, 3 points, 1–4 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 foul, -5
Monday: Cavaliers 113, Spurs 101 — Started; 26:56, 3 points, 1–7 FG, 1–5 3FG, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -12
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. New York, NBATV
Tony Bradley, Indiana Pacers center
Age 27 | 6–10, 248 | seventh pro season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string center behind Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson
Season statistics — 27 games, 4.2 points, 57.7 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 72.7 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 0.5 of an assist
Team record: 6–27, 15th in Eastern Conference
Friday: Celtics 140, Pacers 122 — 6:59, 4 points, 2–3 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -6
Saturday: (at) Heat 142, Pacers 116 — 11:00, 3 points, 1–1 FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 turnovers, 4 rebounds, 3 fouls, -9
Monday: (at) Rockets 126, Pacers 119 — 10:43, 0–1 FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +4
Next game — 3 p.m. Wednesday at Indiana
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 Tim Hardaway Jr.
Season statistics — 28 games, 11.7 points, 46.1 FG%, 42.9 3P%, 81.0 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 22–10, 3rd in Western Conference
Thursday: Nuggets 142, Timberwolves 138, OT; Saturday: Magic 127, Nuggets 126; and Monday: (at) Heat 147, Nuggets 123 — Missed both games; out four to six weeks with a bone bruise and hyperextended right knee
Next game — 7:30 Wednesday at Toronto
Caleb Love, Portland Trail Blazers guard
Age 24 | 6–3, 212 | Rookie season | Two-way contract | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Backup point guard behind Deni Avdija/fourth-string 2 guard
Season statistics — 25 games, 9.2 points, 36.8 FG%, 30.4 3P%, 80.9 FT%, 2.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 14–19, 10th in Western Conference
Friday: Clippers 119, Blazers 103 — Didn’t start; 25:15, 14 points, 5–10 FG, 3–7 3FG, 1–2 FT, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -17
Sunday: Blazers 114, Celtics 108 — Didn’t start; 28:55, 18 points, 6–14 FG, 4–10 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 1 foul, +4
Monday: Blazers 125, Mavericks 122 — Didn’t start; 34:16, 24 points, 8–15 FG, 6–10 3FG, 2–2 FT ,3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +9
Next game — 8 p.m. Wednesday at Oklahoma City
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 20 | 6–5, 195 | Rookie season | 4-year NBA rookie contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup 2 guard behind Terance Mann
Season statistics — 21 games, 5.9 points, 47.8 FG%, 35.7 3FG%, 95.7 FT%, 1.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Team record: 10–20, 13th in Eastern Conference
Saturday: Nets 123, Timberwolves 107 — 17:33, 7 points, 3–6 FG, 1–3 3FG, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal, +13
Monday: Warriors 120, Nets 107 — 17:19, 2 points, 0–2 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 foul, -19
Next game — 6 p.m. Thursday vs. Houston
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 — 29 games, 7.0 points, 60.8 FG%, 26.1 3P%, 64.8 FT%, 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 10–20, 13th in Eastern Conference
Saturday: Nets 123, Timberwolves 107 — 17:27; 10 points, 5–5 FG, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 turnover, +21
Monday: Warriors 120, Nets 107 — 12:17, 3 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -14
Next game — 6 p.m. Thursday vs. Houston
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 — 16 games, 19.2 points, 44.5 FG%, 32.4 3PFG, 79.6 FT%, 3.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists
Team record: 15–17, 9th in Eastern Conference
Friday: Bulls 109, 76ers 102 — Started; 29:01, 13 points, 4–12 FG, 1–6 3FG, 4–4 FT, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -1
Saturday: Bucks 112, Bulls 103 — Started; 28:43, 16 points, 6–12 FG, 4–8 3FG, 0–1 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 turnovers, 3 fouls, -5
Monday: Timberwolves 136, Bulls 101 — Started; 6:35, 2 assists, +1, left after suffering right calf strain
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday 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 — 16 games, 10.6 points, 43.4 FG%, 26.7 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 6.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals
Team record: 2–1, tied for 2nd in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 6–8, fifth in East Division
Saturday: Capital City 122, (at) College Park Skyhawks 100 — Started; 9 points, 4–9 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1–1 FT, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 foul, +19
Next game — 3 p.m. Thursday at Westchester Knicks
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 14 games, 4.9 points, 44.4 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.5 of a block
Team record: 2–1, tied for 2nd in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 5–7, seventh in South Division
Saturday: Birmingham 105, (at) Westchester Knicks 98 and Sunday: (at) Westchester Knicks 129, Birmingham 118 — Didn’t play
Next game — 7 p.m. Tuesday at College Park Skyhawks, ESPN+
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 16 games, 18.7 points, 44.1 FG%, 36.3 3P%, 87.0 FT%, 4.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steal
Team record: 2–1, tied for 4th in Western Conference; finished Showcase Cup 7–7, fifth in West Division
Saturday: Oklahoma City Blue 124, South Bay 123 — Started; 13 points, 4–15 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, -1
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday vs. Memphis Hustle
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 — 11 games, 16.8 points, 53.0 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 61.5 FT%, 10.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals
Team record: 1–2, tied for 8th in Western Conference; finished Showcase Cup 12–2, first in South Division
Saturday: Austin 109, Mexico City Capitanes 105 — Started; 26 points, 10–15 FG, 2–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 14 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, +4
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Santa Cruz Warriors
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 — 9 games, 32 minutes, 18 points, 7–14 FG, 4–9 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Team record: 0–3, tied for 15th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 4–10, eighth in Central Division
Friday in NBA: Grizzlies 125, Bucks 104 — 3:26, 1 turnover, -2
Saturday in NBA: Bucks 112, (at) Bulls 103 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7 p.m. Tuesday at Cleveland Charge, ESPN+
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 8 games, 16.9 points, 50.5 FG%, 34.7 3P%, 15–15 FT, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steal
Team record: 0–3, tied for 15th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 4–10, eighth in Central Division
Saturday: Grand Rapids Gold 125, Wisconsin 111 — Started; 23 points, 9–22 FG, 4–9 3FG, 1–1 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, -13
Next game — 7 p.m. Tuesday at Cleveland Charge, ESPN+
Photos via @trailblazers
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