By R.L. Bynum
Caleb Love is performing well ahead of the usual expectations for an undrafted rookie on a two-way contract, and the perimeter shots just keep falling.
Love had one of the biggest games in the last week among Tar Heels, along with a 42-point night from Pete Nance, a crazy rebounding week for Harrison Ingram and a solid return to action for Coby White.
Love’s 66 3-pointers this season are the fourth-most among rookies and the most by any reserve rookie. He already has the most in a single season by a Portland Trail Blazer on a two-way contract. Love was the third-fastest in franchise history to reach 50 3-pointers and was the fastest since Damian Lillard in 2012–13.
He kept that going Sunday with his fifth game of at least 20 points, scoring 21 points and five 3-pointers in the Trail Blazers’ 123–114 Sunday loss to New York.
He also added four rebounds and four assists, following up a big game in Portland’s 103–102 Friday win over Houston when he had 18 points, four 3-pointers and four rebounds.
Love, in a quote Portland highlighted on its X account, said it’s about more than the numbers: “Being physical, playing tough, fighting over screens, getting those loose balls, things like that,” he said. “Stuff that doesn’t show up on the box scores, but you want to see those when you’re out there on the floor.:
Love, averaging more points at 10.7 than eight rookie lottery picks, is shooting 33.3% from 3-point range for the season, but 41.5% (22 of 53) in January.
In Coby White’s only game of the week, he collected 22 points, four rebounds, three assists and three blocks in Chicago’s 125–107 Saturday victory over Dallas, pushing his season scoring average through 18 games to 18.6. He sat out a game earlier last week for what the Bulls called “injury management” because of the calf issues that have forced him to miss time.
But the most impressive game of the week was from Nance in the G League in a 109–95 road victory Sunday for his Wisconsin Herd against the Grand Rapids Gold.
He erupted for a career night 42 points, going an incredible 16 of 19 shooting from the floor and 5 of 7 from 3-point range while chipping in five rebounds and two assists in 34 minutes. His previous best G League scoring game was 34 points on Nov. 14 this season against the Cleveland Charge. Nance had 17 points in Thursday’s 121–112 road loss to the Long Island Nets.
Nance wasn’t the only Tar Heel with a big night for the Herd on Sunday, as Ryan poured in 24 points and six 3-pointers after scoring 19 on Thursday. It was Ryan’s second career G League game with six 3-pointers (also on March 23, 2025, for the Oklahoma City Blue against the Memphis Hustle).
Ingram had an impressive week of board work as his Austin Spurs earned two victories over RJ Davis’ South Bay Lakers, dishing out six assists in both games.
He registered a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds in Friday’s 111–99 victory, then had six points and 18 rebounds in Saturday’s 107–106 victory.
Davis rebounded from seven points on a 3 of 13 shooting in Friday’s game to contribute 12 points, five rebounds and five assists in Saturday’s game. His best game of the last week was 17 points, three 3-pointers, eight rebounds and seven assists in South Bay’s 113–101 win Tuesday over the Memphis Hustle.
Day’Ron Sharpe registered a double-double (14 points, 12 rebounds) and Drake Powell added 10 points in his second start of the season as Brooklyn lost Monday at Dallas 113–105.
Powell had combined for two points in losses on Wednesday and Friday before sitting out Sunday’s game for injury management because of his left knee issues.
Sharpe combined for 16 points and 25 rebounds in Brooklyn’s other three games.
Elsewhere in the NBA:
— Harrison Barnes scored 13 points and three 3-pointers in San Antonio’s 104–103 road loss at Minnesota on Sunday after combining for 15 points in the Spurs’ other three games.
— Tony Bradley, on a 10-day contract with Indiana after the Pacers had waived him, combined for seven points (all in Thursday’s 114–112 win at Charlotte) in four games.
— Cameron Johnson remains out after suffering a bone bruise in his right knee last month. There was no structural damage, but he isn’t expected to return for Denver until late this month or in February.
— Cole Anthony hasn’t played for the Milwaukee Bucks since playing nearly 3½ minutes on Dec. 26, listed as “did not play (coach’s decision)” for the last eight games.
In other G League action:
— Leaky Black had his typical all-around game in the Capital City Go-Go’s 112–104 Wednesday win over the Motor City Cruise, with nine points, eight rebounds, six assists, four steals and a block. He had three points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks in Friday’s 114–104 win over the Cruise.
— Garrison Brooks contributed eight points, four rebounds, and two assists in the Birmingham Squadron’s 111–106 Thursday loss to the Osceola Magic, but was scoreless with three rebounds in the 112–95 loss to Osceola.
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: 17–22, 11th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: Warriors 120, Bucks 113, Friday: Bucks 105, (at) Lakers 101 and Sunday: (at) Nuggets 108, Bucks 104 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 8 p.m. Tuesday vs. Minnesota
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 — 39 games, 11.4 points, 44.1 FG%, 37.3 3P%, 86.8 FT%, 3.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 26–11, 2nd in Western Conference
Tuesday: (at) Grizzlies 106, Spurs 105 — Started; 20:14, 2 points, 1–6 FG, 0–3 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, +1
Wednesday: Spurs 107, Lakers 91 — Started; 29:53, 7 points, 2–5 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3–4 FT, 1 steal, 2 fouls, +16
Saturday: Spurs 100, (at) Celtics 95 — Started; 26:19, 6 points, 2–8 FG, 1–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 steal, +1
Sunday: (at) Timberwolves 104, Spurs 103 — Started; 32:11, 13 points, 5–11 FG, 3–6 3FG, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +7
Next game — 8 p.m. Tuesday at Oklahoma City, NBC, Peacock
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 — 31 games, 4.0 points, 55.8 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 73.7 FT%, 2.6 rebounds
Team record: 8–31, 15th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: Cavaliers 120, Pacers 116 — 11:42, 0–2 FG, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -9
Thursday: Pacers 114, (at) Hornets 112 — 15:00, 7 points, 3–3 FG, 1–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 foul, +7
Saturday: Pacers 123, Heat 99 — 4:20, 3 points, 0–3 FG, 3–4 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, -4
Monday: Pacers 123, Heat 99 — 5:41, -1
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Toronto
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: 26–13, 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 — 32 games, 10.7 points, 39.1 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 75.8 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Team record: 19–21, 9th in Western Conference
Wednesday: Blazers 103, Rockets 102 — Didn’t start; 28:31, 10 points, 4–12 FG, 2–6 3FG, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +5
Friday: Blazers 103, Rockets 102 — Didn’t start; 24:35, 18 points, 6–13 FG, 4–8 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, -7
Sunday: Knicks 123, Blazers 114 — Didn’t start; 28:39, 21 points, 8–18 FG, 5–12 3FG, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -11
Next game — 11 p.m. Tuesday at Golden State, Peacock
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 — 26 games, 5.8 points, 45.7 FG%, 32.7 3FG%, 90.3 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Team record: 11–26, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: Magic 104, Nets 103 — Didn’t start; 18:42, 2 points, 1–6 FG, 0–3 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -11
Friday: Clippers 121, Nets 105 — Didn’t start; 14:34, 0–2 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 block -7
Sunday: (at) Grizzlies 103, Nets 98 — Didn’t play; management of left knee injury
Monday: (at) Mavericks 113, Nets 105 — Started (2nd start of the season); 10 points, 5–10 FG, 0–4 3FG, 1 rebound, 2 turnovers, -7
Next game — 8 p.m. Wednesday at New Orleans
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 — 35 games, 7.5 points, 59.8 FG%, 21.4 3P%, 64.3 FT%, 6.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists
Team record: 11–26, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: Magic 104, Nets 103 — Didn’t start; 18:42, 2 points, 1–6 FG, 0–3 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -11
Friday: Clippers 121, Nets 105 — Didn’t start; 17:03, 6 points, 3–6 FG, 0–2 3FG, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -1
Sunday: (at) Grizzlies 103, Nets 98 — Didn’t start; 20:33, 8 points, 4–7 FG, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, +5
Monday: (at) Mavericks 113, Nets 105 — Didn’t start; 22:42, 14 points, 4–7 FG, 6–6 FT, 12 rebounds, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, +2
Next game — 8 p.m. Wednesday at New Orleans
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 — 18 games, 18.6 points, 45.0 FG%, 31.7 3PFG, 80.0 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists
Team record: 18–20, 10th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: (at) Pistons 108, Bulls 93— Didn’t play, injury management
Thursday vs. Heat: Postponed
Saturday: Bulls 125, Mavericks 107 — Started; 28:56, 22 points, 9–15 FG, 2–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 3 blocks, +18
Next game — 8 p.m. Tuesday at 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 — 21 games, 10.5 points, 44.7 FG%, 27.4 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 7.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.0 steals
Team record: 5–2, 4th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 6–8, fifth in East Division
Wednesday: Capital City 112, Motor City Cruise 104 — Started; 34 minutes, 9 points, 4–5 FG, 1–2 3FG, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 fouls, 4 steals, 1 turnover, 1 block, =/- of 0
Friday: Capital City 114, Motor City Cruise 106 — Started; 3 points, 1–5 FG, 0–3 3FG, 1–2 FT, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 blocks, +9
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Long Island Nets, ESPN+
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: 4–5, 10th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 5–7, seventh in South Division
Thursday: Osceola Magic 111, Birmingham 106 — 16 minutes, 8 points, 3–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, -6
Saturday: Osceola Magic 112, Birmingham 95 — 16 minutes, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, 1 steal, -23
Next game — 8 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday vs. Raptors 905
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 20 games, 16.9 points, 41.4 FG%, 34.8 3P%, 88.5 FT%, 4.3 rebounds, 5.` assists, 0.9 of a steal
Team record: 4–3, 5th in Western Conference; finished Showcase Cup 7–7, fifth in West Division
Tuesday: South Bay 113, Memphis Hustle 101 — Started; 36 minutes, 17 points, 3–5 FG, 3–6 3FG, 4–4 FT, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 8 turnovers, +11
Friday: (at) Austin Spurs 111, South Bay 99 — Started; 7 points, 3–13 FG, 1–6 3FG, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, -13
Saturday: (at) Austin Spurs 107, South Bay 106 — Started; 33 minutes, 12 points, 4–14 FG, 2–7 3FG, 1–1 FT, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 turnovers, +5
Next game — 10 p.m. Wednesday vs. San Diego Clippers, ESPN+
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 — 13 games, 16.2 points, 51.9 FG%, 31.9 3P%, 63.3 FT%, 11.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steal
Team record: 3–4, tied for 11th in Western Conference; finished Showcase Cup 12–2, first in South Division
Friday: (at) Austin Spurs 111, South Bay 99 — Started; 22 points, 10–17 FG, 0–3 3FG, 1–2 FT, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 foul, +5
Saturday: (at) Austin Spurs 107, South Bay 106 — Started; 38 minutes, 6 points, 1–6 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 18 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 fouls, 3 turnovers, 1 block, -4
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday vs. South Bay Lakers
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd 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 — 9 games, 32 minutes, 18 points, 7–14 FG, 4–9 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Team record: 4–5, 10th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 4–10, eighth in Central Division
Thursday: (at) Long Island Nets 121, Wisconsin 112 — Started; 17 points, 6–14 FG, 1–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, +5
Sunday: Wisconsin 109, (at) Grand Rapids Gold 95 — Started; 34 minutes, 42 points, 16–19 FG, 5–7 3FG, 3–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 foul, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +14
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Maine Celtics, ESPN+
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 14 games, 19.6 points, 48.7 FG%, 35.9 3P%, 89.7 FT%, 3.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.8 steals
Team record: 4–5, 10th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 4–10, eighth in Central Division
Thursday: (at) Long Island Nets 121, Wisconsin 112 — Started; 19 points, 7–17 FG, 2–8 3FG, 2–4 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 fouls, 4 steals, 1 turnover, -15
Sunday: Wisconsin 109, (at) Grand Rapids Gold 95 — Started; 38 minutes, 24 points, 7–12 FG, 6–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 3 steals, 7 turnovers, +9
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Maine Celtics, ESPN+
Photo via @trailblazers
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