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.
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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.
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 34 | 6–7, 225 | 15th season | $8 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Backup small 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 statistics — 5 games, 18.0 minutes, 8.4 points, 34.6 FG%, 36.6 3P%, 88.9 FT%, 1.4 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist, 0.8 of a steal
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock
Leaky Black, Sacramento Kings guard
Age 27 | 6–6, 209 | 4th season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot, to earn Kings’ final two-way contract
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 statistics — 3 games, 19.9 minutes, 7.7 points, 53.8 FG%, 62.5 3P%, 4–4 FT, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 of an assist, 1.3 steals
Season opener — 10:30 Wednesday at Los Angeles Clippers
Tony Bradley, Utah Jazz center
Age 28 | 6–10, 248 | 8th NBA season | $2.44 million salary | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fifth-string center
Final statistics last season (Indiana, Atlanta) — 41 games, 4.0 points, 54.7 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Preseason statistics (New York) — 3 games, 7.5 minutes, 5.3 points, 80.0 FG%, 0–1 FT, 1.7 rebounds
Season opener — 8 p.m. Wednesday at Memphis
Harrison Ingram, Utah Jazz forward
Age 23 (turns 24 Oct. 21) | 6–6, 230 | second season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string forward 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
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 7.9 minutes, 19 points, 53.3 FG%, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Season opener — 8 p.m. Wednesday at Memphis
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 statistics — 5 games, 18.3 minutes, 10.0 points, 55.9 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 2.2 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist
Season opener — 9:30 Thursday 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 statistics — 2 games, 23.4 minutes, 8.5 points, 42.9 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 83.3 FT%, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.5 blocks
Season opener — 10 p.m. Wednesday vs. Golden State, ESPN
Caleb Love, Philadelphia 76ers guard
Age 25 | 6–3, 212 | 2nd season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | 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 statistics — 4 games, 14.5 minutes, 5.5 points, 25.9 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 55.6 FT%, 1.0 rebound, 3.0 assists, 0.5 of a block
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday at New York, NBC
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | 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
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 13.0 minutes, 4.0 points, 35.7 FG%, 30 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 3.2 rebounds
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday at Washington
Tyler Nickel, New York Knicks forward
Age 23 | 6–7, 220 | rookie season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot
Statistics last season (Vanderbilt) — 36 games, 36 starts, 13.5 points, 44.5 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 84.7 FG%, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 38.8 minutes, 16 points, 4–18 FG, 2–14 3FG, 6–7 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. Philadelphia, NBC
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
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 10.8 minutes, 4.0 points, 46.2 FG%, 45.5 3P%, 2–2 FT, 1.1 rebounds
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday vs. Charlotte
Cormac Ryan, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $680,984 salary (2-way contract) | 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 statistics — 3 games, 15.9 minutes, 6.7 points, 46.2 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 57.1 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 of a steal
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday 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 statistics — 3 games, 18.8 minutes, 7.7 points, 55.6 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 25.0 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.3 blocks
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday 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
Missed preseason after suffering a left calf strain during training camp
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday at Brooklyn
Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 20 | 6–10, 215 | Rookie season | $10.68 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 statistics — 5 games, 26.5 minutes, 15.8 points, 44.1 FG%, 31.0 3P%, 55.6 FT%, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.6 of a steal
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday at Toronto
Likely out for season
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept.15)
Waived in training camp
Guard RJ Davis by San Antonio (preseason statistics: 3 games, 8.8 minutes, 7 points, 27.3 FG%, 1–4 3FG, 0–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block)
Photo via @TheHoopCentral
