Title: Caleb Love Finds His Rhythm in Portland: Career-High Rebounding Night Fuels Blazers Win
The Moda Center lights gleamed a little brighter that night—not because of the sold-out crowd or the final score, but because of the moment Caleb Love finally arrived.
After an up-and-down college career marked by flashes of brilliance and bouts of inconsistency, the former North Carolina and Arizona standout had his true breakout performance in the NBA. In a hard-fought 104–99 victory over the Denver Nuggets, Love didn’t just contribute—he dominated in a way few saw coming.
With 16 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, Love notched just his third double-double since college—and arguably his most complete game as a professional. More impressively, the 12 boards weren’t just numbers on a box score. They were momentum-shifters. They were energy plays. They were statements.
“Rebounding is effort,” Love told reporters postgame, sweat still clinging to his jawline. “I wanted to prove I can impact the game even when the shot’s not falling. Tonight was about heart.”
The heart was evident early. In the first quarter, after missing a deep three, Love raced down the court, tracked a missed Jamal Murray floater, and skied for a one-handed rebound over two defenders—kicking off the break and assisting on a Simons corner three. The crowd roared. That play made the highlight reel, but it was the second that nearly blew the roof off the building.
With the Blazers clinging to a three-point lead late in the fourth, Love switched onto Michael Porter Jr. on a broken play. As Porter rose up for what looked like an easy transition dunk, Love exploded off the floor with a perfectly timed leap, pinning the ball against the backboard before ripping it down himself. It was a block, a rebound, and a tone-setter all in one.
“That block?” Coach Chauncey Billups said postgame, smiling. “That’s winning basketball. That’s what we’ve been asking Caleb to bring every night. And tonight, he answered.”
The stat sheet backed it up: 16 points (on 6-of-13 shooting), 12 rebounds (4 offensive), 3 assists, 2 steals, and that one thunderous block. For a player known more for his shot creation and deep pull-up threes in college—remember his legendary Final Four dagger against Duke?—Love is starting to evolve.
This wasn’t just a hot night. It was a turning point.
Portland’s young core—anchored by Shaedon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons, and now Caleb Love—is starting to cohere. And while he may not be the star on every night, Love showed he can be the glue guy, the spark plug, or the dagger-thrower, depending on what the team needs.
“I’ve been working,” Love said. “Not just on my game, but on my approach. I’m not the same player I was at UNC. I’m better.”
For now, Portland fans can click the highlights, watch the box score, and see the rise of a player who finally looks like he belongs.
And if Caleb Love keeps this up, that double-double won’t be his last. Not by a long shot.
