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.
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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
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 — Hawks 123, Spurs 116 (Thursday at home) | didn’t start: 16:30, 7 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +3
Next exhibition — 10:30 Saturday at Phoenix, ESPN2
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 at home) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Thursday — Lakers 114, Kings 110 (road) | didn’t start: 10:45, 4 points, 2–2 FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, -3
Next exhibition — 8:30 Saturday at Golden State
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
Thursday — Wizards 111, Knicks 109 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next exhibition — 7:30 Monday vs. Minnesota, 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
Preseason opener — Hawks 123, Spurs 116 (Thursday at home) | didn’t start: 7:15, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, -8
Next exhibition — 10:30 Saturday at Phoenix, ESPN2
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 — Nuggets 117, Jazz 106 (home) | 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 on road) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision; jammed finger)
Tuesday — Warriors 124, Lakers 98 (road) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision; jammed finger)
Thursday — Lakers 114, Kings 110 (home) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision; jammed finger)
Next exhibition — 10 p.m. Tuesday vs. Golden State, NBATV
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 on road) | didn’t start: 23:33, 15 points, 4–10 FG, 3–6 3FG, 4–6 FT, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, +18
Thursday — Nets 114, 76ers 108 (road) | didn’t start: 13:34, 4 points, 2–5 FG, 0–3 3FG, 5 assists, 2 fouls, +2
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Saturday at Boston, NBATV
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 on road) | didn’t start: 12:32, 9 points, 4–6 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, team-high +20
Thursday — Nets 114, Sixers 108 (home) | didn’t start: 14:26, 4 points, 1–4 FG, 0–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, +3
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Monday at Washington
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 on road) | started: 17:56, 8 points, 4–9 FG, 0–2 3FG, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, +19
Thursday — Nets 114, Sixers 108 (home) | didn’t play (left shoulder soreness)
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Monday at Washington
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Charlotte
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
Likely out for season
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept.15)
Photos via @trailblazers
