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, Phoenix Suns guard
Age 25 | 6–2, 185 | 6th season | $2.67 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
Roster situation — Uncertain
Season statistics — 35 games, 6.7 points, 42.4 FG%, 30.6 3P%, 61.5 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Team record: 32–23, 7th in Western Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 win with Milwaukee vs. Chicago — 12:14, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +12
Hasn’t reported to Phoenix since getting traded.
Next game — 8:30 Thursday, Feb.19, vs. San Antonio in Austin, Texas
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 — 54 games, 10.6 points, 44.4 FG%, 37.5 3P%, 84.2 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 33–16, 2nd in Western Conference
Tuesday: 136–108 win at Los Angeles Lakers — Didn’t start; 20:38, 11 points, 4–6 FG, 3–5 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, +20
Wednesday: 126–113 win at Golden State — Didn’t start; 21:45, 10 points, 4–8 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 foul, +29
Next game — 8:30 Thursday, Feb. 19, vs. Phoenix in Austin, Texas
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 — 38 games, 4.0 points, 55.7 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Team record: 15–40, 15th in Eastern Conference
Last 10-day contract expired; could return to Pacers later
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 — 31 games, 11.5 points, 47.05 FG%, 43.7 3P%, 81.0 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 35–20, 3rd in Western Conference
Wednesday: 122–116 win vs. Memphis — Started; 28:48, 5 points, 2–7 FG, 1–3 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 fouls, -6
Next game — 10:30 Thursday, Feb. 19, at Los Angeles Clippers
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 — 45 games (limited to 50 under his two-way contract), 11.3 points, 39.0 FG%, 32.1 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Team record: 27–29, 9th in Western Conference
Wednesday: 133–109 loss at Minnesota — Didn’t play, which pushed his two-way eligibility deadline to Feb. 26
Thursday: 135–119 win at Utah — Didn’t start; 14:41, 11 points, 4–12 FG, 3–8 3FG, 2 assists, -14
Next game — 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, vs. Denver
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Season G League statistics — 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
Season NBA statistics — 23 games, 5.0 points, 61.3 FG%, 53.5 3P%, 2.0 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Team record: 23–30, 12th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: 116–108 win at Orlando — 4:19, 1 turnover, -3
Thursday: 110–93 win at Oklahoma City — 23:58, 11 points, 4–6 FG, 3–5 3FG, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, +4
Next game — 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at New Orleans
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 20 | 6–5, 195 | Rookie season | 4-year NBA rookie contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting shooting guard
Season statistics — 42 games, 6.2 points, 43.1 FG%, 29.9 3FG%, 89.1 FT%, 1.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Team record: 15–38, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: 115–110 loss vs. Indiana — Didn’t start; 19:36, 6 points, 1–4 FG, 1–3 3FG, 3–4 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -18
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at Cleveland
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 — 51 games, 8.5 points, 61.1 FG%, 21.9 3P%, 67.9 FT%, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Wednesday: 115–110 loss vs. Indiana — Started; 30:47, 19 points, 8–11 FG, 3–4 FG, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +12
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at Cleveland
Coby White, Charlotte Hornets 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 — 29 games, 18.6 points, 43.8 FG%, 34.6 3PFG, 80.5 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists
Team record: 25–29, 10th in Eastern Conference
Hasn’t played yet in Charlotte because of a left calf strain
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 vs. Houston
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 — 34 games, 10.5 points, 45.7 FG%, 36.3 3P%, 64.5 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.9 steals
Wednesday: 136–119 loss at Greensboro Swarm — Started; 43 minutes, 7 points, 3–7 FG, 1–3 3FG, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 2 steals, -8
Thursday: 119–107 loss at Greensboro Swarm — Started; 38 minutes, 6 points, 2–9 FG, 0–4 3FG, 1–1 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, 1 turnover, 1 block, -16
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, vs. Osceola Magic, ESPN+
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 32 games, 19.5 points, 45.2 FG%, 41.2 3P%, 87.6 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Wednesday: 128–116 win vs. San Diego Clippers — Started; 22 minutes, 18 points, 4–5 FG, 3–4 3FG, 4–4 FG, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 foul, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, -13
Next game — 8:30 Friday, Feb. 20, at Texas Legends
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 — 25 games, 15.7 points, 49.0 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 61.2 FT%, 11.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.0 steal
Tuesday: 130–124 win at Iowa Wolves — Started; 36 minutes, 30 points, 13–21 FG, 2–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 fouls, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, +3
Wednesday: 135–120 win at Iowa Wolves — Started; 32 minutes, 25 points, 10–14 FG, 3–4 3FG, 1–1 FT, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 fouls, 3 steals, 1 block, +32
Next game — 10:30 Thursday, Feb. 19, at San Diego Clippers
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 26 games, 19.8 points, 47.7 FG%, 41.0 3P%, 90.0 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 steals
Tuesday: 124–110 loss vs. Birmingham Squadron — 31 minutes, 20 points, 7–20 FG, 6–14 3FG, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -17
Next game — 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, vs. Greensboro Swarm
Photos via @trailblazers
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