In a twist of fate for the Sacramento Kings, Devin Carter delivered a standout performance in the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. Drafted in 2024, Carter notched a career-high 24 points, with a staggering 22 of those coming in the final period.
This surge helped the Kings overcome a 10-point deficit to secure a 114-109 victory. While the win was a personal triumph for Carter, it nudged the Kings ahead of the Pacers in the standings, potentially affecting their draft lottery position.
Carter, selected 13th overall after an impressive stint at Providence, faced setbacks early in his NBA journey. A shoulder surgery sidelined him for the first 34 games of his rookie season. In the offseason, the Kings added veteran guards Dennis Schroder and Russell Westbrook, signaling a lack of immediate trust in Carter’s abilities.
Under new management with GM Scott Perry, who didn’t draft him, Carter’s future seemed uncertain. From November to January, he saw action in just four games. Even after the Kings traded Schroder and Keon Ellis to Cleveland, Carter remained behind Westbrook and recent addition Killian Hayes in the rotation.
Shooting woes have plagued Carter, with a career three-point percentage of 22.7%. However, he flipped the script in the fourth quarter, shooting 8-for-11 overall and 3-for-4 from beyond the arc, a remarkable feat considering he’d only hit nine threes all season.
The Kings’ comeback was a double-edged sword. While Carter’s performance was a feel-good moment, his extended playtime in the fourth quarter-after logging just four minutes earlier-suggests the Kings might have been more focused on developing talent than securing a win. With the game slipping away, they rested three starters, possibly hoping Carter’s inexperience would keep the loss intact.
Instead, Carter’s hot hand turned the tide, scoring 13 consecutive points in a rapid 2:30 stretch. This unexpected burst not only clinched the game but also complicated the Kings' draft prospects, inadvertently aiding the Pacers’ quest for the league's worst record and the best lottery odds.
Carter’s breakout moment, while a beacon of his potential, leaves the Kings in a curious position as they balance player development with strategic losses in a rebuilding year.