Kevin Love wasn’t supposed to suit up for the Utah Jazz. When he landed in Salt Lake City, the expectation around the league was that he'd be on the move again before ever stepping on the court - either flipped in another deal or bought out entirely. But here we are in mid-December, and not only is Love in uniform, he’s making his presence felt.
On Friday night, the veteran forward delivered a vintage performance that helped push the Jazz past the Memphis Grizzlies in a 130-126 win. And make no mistake - Utah needed every bit of what Love brought off the bench.
In just 20 minutes of action, Love poured in 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds, flashing the kind of inside-out game that made him a five-time All-Star. He also chipped in an assist and a block, hitting 8-of-15 from the field and 4-of-10 from deep. It was the kind of efficient, impactful outing that reminded fans - and maybe even the Jazz themselves - that there’s still plenty of game left in the 35-year-old.
Now, let’s be clear: this isn’t what Love’s been doing every night. He’s appeared in 15 games this season and is averaging 6.5 points per game - solid, but not eye-popping.
But Friday night was different. This was a flashback to the player who once dominated the glass and stretched defenses with his shooting.
And for a Utah team still figuring out its identity, having a veteran like Love step up in key moments is no small thing.
Of course, the spotlight belonged to Keyonte George, who exploded for a career-high 39 points. The rookie was electric, and his performance will rightly grab headlines. But without Love’s steadying presence and timely buckets, the Jazz don’t walk away with the win.
What we saw Friday was more than just a hot shooting night - it was a reminder of how valuable experience and versatility can be, especially on a young, developing roster. Love may not be the nightly focal point anymore, but he doesn’t need to be. What he brings - leadership, floor spacing, rebounding, and the occasional throwback performance - still matters.
And if this is what Utah can get from him on the right night, it’s a win-win for both sides. The Jazz are giving Love a role where he feels comfortable, and in return, he’s showing he’s still got something left in the tank.