By R.L. Bynum
Caleb Love arrived in the NBA without the fanfare of a draft-night celebration, without the guarantee of a roster spot, and without the job security most rookies enjoy.
The Portland Trail Blazers gave him a chance, and a two-way contract, and he’s rewarded them with the best stretch games among undrafted rookies in the league.
In the last eight games, Love has flourished, averaging 16.8 points per game, including scoring 14 points and two 3-pointers Monday in Portland’s third consecutive victory, a 137–117 win over the Utah Jazz.
Before scoring in double figures in the last eight games, he had only five in his first 13, and was inactive for eight of Portland’s first 11 games.
At a time when many undrafted rookies are bouncing between the NBA and the G League, Love is firmly in the Trail Blazers’ rotation, holding down meaningful minutes, and hasn’t played a G League game.
On Friday (122–109 victory at New Orleans), he poured in 22 points and six 3-pointers, which tied his season-high for 3-pointers, a mark he’s reached three times (including when he scored a season-high 26 on Nov. 21 against Golden State).
In college, he scored a career-high six 3-pointers six times, five as a Tar Heel, most notably in the 2022 NCAA Tournament against Marquette (23 points) and UCLA (30 points).
In Saturday’s 115–110 win at San Antonio, he had 16 points, three 3-pointers, five rebounds and two assists.
Coby White returned for the Chicago Bulls after missing three games with tightness in his left calf, after a right calf injury forced him to miss the entire preseason and the first 11 games of the regular season. On minutes restrictions, he came off the bench to play just over 25 minutes, collecting five points (going 2 of 7 from the floor), six rebounds and three assists in the Bulls’ 115–101 road loss Monday to the Boston Celtics.
The biggest games of the last week came in the G League from Cormac Ryan and Pete Nance, as the Wisconsin Herd split a pair of games.
Ryan scored nearly a point a minute with 32 points in 35 minutes, connecting on 12 of 18 shots (3 of 8 from 3-point range) with four rebounds and three assists in Tuesday’s 115–107 loss to the Cleveland Charge.
Ryan followed that up with 22 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals in the Herd’s 89–87 road win Saturday over the Stockton Kings, then 20 points in Monday’s 116–98 win over the College Park Skyhawks. He’s averaging 19.3 points per game, while shooting 50.3% from the floor, 36.1% from 3-point range and 98.3% from the free-throw line (26 of 27).
Nance, averaging 19.4 points per game, collected 20 points, two 3-pointers, eight rebounds and two steals on Tuesday, then had 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three blocks on Saturday. He had 29 points and five 3-pointers in Monday’s victory.
In other NBA action in the last week:
— Brooklyn Nets rookie Drake Powell got his first NBA start on Thursday (120–97 loss to Houston) with Terance Mann out with a hip issue, scoring eight points in 25 minutes. He bounced back Friday (119–99 loss at Washington) with 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting and scored five on Sunday (127–115 home win over Denver). His efficiency and energy continue to earn him minutes during a tough season for the Nets (11–22).
— With Nic Claxton away from the Nets because of personal reasons, Day’Ron Sharpe has started the last two games, playing well in both. He collected 14 points and nine rebounds on Friday and contributed 17 points and six rebounds on Sunday. Sharpe was on triple-double watch Thursday with eight points, eight rebounds and a career-high seven assists. “I’m trying to be a playmaker from the post and keep the ball moving,” Sharpe said.
— After Harrison Barnes combined for 12 points and 1 of 7 3-point shooting in San Antonio Spurs wins on Wednesday (134–132 over New York) and Friday (123–113 over Indiana), he had 14 points, two 3-pointers and four rebounds in Saturday’s 115–110 loss to Portland. Barnes contributed with 13 rebounds on the week. “Just finding ways to impact the game even when shots aren’t falling,” Barnes said after Saturday’s game.
— Denver forward Cameron Johnson remains out with a bone bruise in his right knee, coupled with a hyperextension and hasn’t played since Dec. 23. He’s expected to be re-evaluated late this month or early next month.
— Indiana waived Tony Bradley on Monday after he played in two of Indiana’s three games, logging nearly 12 minutes on Wednesday (112–110 loss to Orlando) with five rebounds but no points. He contributed a rebound and a block in seven scoreless minutes Sunday (135–127 loss at Orlando) after not playing (coach’s decision) in Friday’s loss to San Antonio.
— It continues to be a frustrating first season with the Milwaukee Bucks for Cole Anthony, who is having a hard time even getting on the court. He hasn’t played (coach’s decision) in seven of the last nine games. He last played in the game before and the game after Christmas, combining for four minutes, 40 seconds and three points in the two games.
Elsewhere in the G League in the last week:
— Leaky Black stuffed the stat sheet in both Capital City Go-Go games last week, registering a double-double Thursday (139–90 win over the Westchester Knicks) with 13 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, five steals and two blocks. On Saturday (112–109 road loss to the Maine Celtics), he collected 15 points, four 3-pointers, six assists, four rebounds and three steals.
— Garrison Brooks’ Birmingham Squadron split four in six days, with his best game 12 points, five rebounds and two steals on Sunday (130–94 loss to the Delaware Blue Coats). In the other three games, he combined for 20 points and 11 rebounds. He’s shot 4 of 7 from 3-point range in the last two games.
— In the South Bay Lakers’ only game (a 125–121 Saturday win over the Memphis Hustle), RJ Davis had two points and four assists coming off the bench.
— Harrison Ingram didn’t play in either of the Austin Spurs’ games in the last week.
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: 15–20, 11th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: Wizards 114, Bucks 113, Friday: Bucks 122, Hornets 121 and Sunday: Bucks 115 (at) Kings 98— Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 10 p.m. Wednesday at Golden State
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 — 36 games, 11.7 points, 44.6 FG%, 37.5 3P%, 88.6 FT%, 3.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Team record: 25–11, 2nd in Western Conference
Friday: Spurs 123, (at) Pacers 113 — Started; 21:00, 5 points, 1–7 FG, 1–6 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, -15
Saturday: Trail Blazers 115, Spurs 110 — Started; 31:54, 14 points, 5–11 FG, 2–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +4
Tuesday: (at) Grizzlies 106, Spurs 105 — Started; 20:14, 2 points, 1–6 FG, 0–3 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, +1
Next game — 9:30 Wednesday vs. Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN
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: 23–12, 3rd in Western Conference
Out for at least a month with a bone bruise and hyperextended right knee
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 — 29 games, 10.1 points, 38.6 FG%, 32.0 3P%, 74.2 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 17–20, 9th in Western Conference
Wednesday: (at) Thunder 124, Blazers 95 — Didn’t start; 30:08, 10 points, 4–12 FG, 2–7 3FG, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, -11
Friday: Blazers 122, (at) Pelicans 109 — Didn’t start; 27:33, 22 points, 7–13 FG, 6–11 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +3
Saturday: Blazers 115, (at) Spurs 110 — Didn’t start; 27:55, 16 points, 6–13 FG, 3–9 3FG, 1–4 FG, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, -4
Monday: Blazers 137, Jazz 117 — Didn’t start; 27:39, 14 points, 6–11 FG, 2–7 3FG, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 turnovers, +13
Next game — 10 p.m. Wednesday vs. Houston
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 — 24 games, 6.3 points, 48.1 FG%, 36.0 3FG%, 90.3 FT%, 1.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists
Team record: 11–22, 13th in Eastern Conference
Thursday: Rockets 120, Nets 97 — Started; 25:19, 8 points, 3–9 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1–3 FT, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -25
Friday: (at) Wizards 119, Nets 99 — Didn’t start; 21:41, 14 points, 5–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 3–3 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 turnover, -17
Sunday: Nets 127, Nuggets 115 — Didn’t start; 17:31, 5 points, 1–3 FG, 1–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 assist, 1 foul, -2
Next game — 7:30 Wednesday vs. Orlando
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 — 32 games, 7.6 points, 60.5 FG%, 23.1 3P%, 64.6 FT%, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 11–22, 13th in Eastern Conference
Thursday: Rockets 120, Nets 97 — 19:11, 8 points 4–6 FG, 0–1 3FG, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 1 foul, -2
Friday: (at) Wizards 119, Nets 99 — Started; 29:51, 14 points, 6–12 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2–3 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -13
Sunday: Nets 127, Nuggets 115 — Started; 32:06, 17 points, 6–9 FG, 0–1 3FG, 5–8 FT, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, +17
Next game — 7:30 Wednesday vs. Orlando
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 — 17 games, 18.4 points, 44.0 FG%, 31.9 3PFG, 79.6 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists
Team record: 17–19, 9th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: (at) Celtics 115, Bulls 101 — Didn’t start; 25:23, 5 points, 2–7 FG, 1–5 3FG, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 turnovers, 4 fouls, -5
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday at Detroit
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
Waived
Indiana waived Tony Bradley on Jan. 5; season statistics: 29 games, 3.9 points, 56.3 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 72.7 FT%, 2.6 rebounds
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 — 19 games, 10.9 points, 44.4 FG%, 28.0 3P%, 69.6 FT%, 7.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.0 steals
Team record: 3–2, 5th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 6–8, fifth in East Division
Thursday: Capital City 139, Westchester Knicks 90 — Started; 29 minutes, 13 points, 5–9 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1–2 FT, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 foul, 5 steals, 2 blocks, +39
Saturday: (at) Maine Celtics 112, Capital City 109 — Started; 35 minutes, 15 points, 4–10 FG, 4–9 3FG, 1–3 FT, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 2 turnovers, +9
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Motor City Cruise, ESPN+
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 17 games, 5.2 points, 43.8 FG%, 36.4 3P%, 53.8 FT%, 5.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.4 of a block
Team record: 4–4, 8th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 5–7, seventh in South Division
Tuesday: Birmingham 132, (at) College Park Skyhawks — 14 minutes, 7 points, 3–7 FG, 1–3 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +15
Thursday: (at) College Park Skyhawks 107, Birmingham 83 — 23 minutes, 7 points, 2–5 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 1 turnover, -9
Saturday: Birmingham 110, (at) Delaware Blue Coats 108 — 20 minutes, 6 points, 2–5 FG, 2–3 3FG, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, +12
Sunday: (at) Delaware Blue Coats 130, Birmingham 94 — 31 minutes, 12 points, 5–8 FG, 2–4 3FG, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, -24
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday 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 — 18 games, 17.7 points, 43.2 FG%, 36.1 3P%, 88.2 FT%, 4.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Team record: 4–1, tied for 1st in Western Conference; finished Showcase Cup 7–7, fifth in West Division
Saturday: South Bay 125, Memphis Hustle 121 — Didn’t start; 12 minutes, 2 points, 0–3 FG, 1–1 FT, 4 assists, 2 fouls, -15
Tuesday: South Bay 113, Memphis Hustle 101 — Started; 36 minutes, 17 points, 5–3 FG, 3–6 3FG, 4–4 FT, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 8 turnovers, +11
Next game — 8 p.m. Friday at Austin Spurs, Roku Sports Channel
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
Wednesday: Santa Cruz Warriors 111, Austin 102 and Friday: Santa Cruz Warriors 112, Austin 105 — Didn’t play
Next game — 7 p.m. Friday vs. South Bay Lakers, Roku Sports Channel
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Season G League statistics — 109 games, 20.4 points, 57.2 FG%, 44.6 3P%, 81.3 FT%, 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 blocks
Season NBA statistics — 9 games, 32 minutes, 18 points, 7–14 FG, 4–9 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Team record: 2–4, 14th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 4–10, eighth in Central Division
Saturday: Wisconsin 89, (at) Stockton Kings 87 — Started; 34 minutes, 11 points, 5–14, 0–1 3FG, 1–1 FT, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 foul, 1 steal, 3 blocks, +6
Monday: Wisconsin 116, College Park Skyhawks 98 — Started; 34 minutes, 29 points, 9–14 FG, 5–9 3FG, 3–3 FT, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 2 turnovers, +27
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday at Long Island Nets, ESPN+
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 11 games, 19.3 points, 50.3 FG%, 36.1 3P%, 98.3 FT%, 4.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists
Team record: 2–4, 14th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 4–10, eighth in Central Division
Tuesday: Cleveland Charge 115, Wisconsin 107 — Started; 35 minutes, 32 points, 12–17 FG, 3–8 3FG, 4–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers, -7
Saturday: Wisconsin 89, (at) Stockton Kings 87 — Started; 37 minutes, 22 points, 6–13 FG, 2–6 3FG, 6–7 FT, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 fouls, 3 steals, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +13
Monday: Wisconsin 116, College Park Skyhawks 98 — Started; 26 minutes, 20 points, 6–13 FG, 1–4 3FG, 4–4 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 foul, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +2
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday at Long Island Nets, ESPN+
Photo via @TheHoopCentral
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