Jevon Carter's debut with the Orlando Magic is already turning heads, and it's easy to see why. The veteran guard, known for his defensive prowess and ability to knock down shots, showcased his skills in a recent game against the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center.
Coming off the bench as the first substitution in Coach Jamahl Mosley’s rotation, Carter made an immediate impact. In just 23 minutes of play, he drained three 3-pointers, contributing 14 points, and added three rebounds, four assists, and a steal. His performance was highlighted by a team-leading plus-minus rating of plus-34, underscoring his influence on the game.
Coach Mosley praised Carter's full-court pressure and leadership on the floor, emphasizing how well he fits into the Magic's system. “He’s about all the right things.
He’s about winning. He’s about toughness,” Mosley said, appreciating Carter's hard-nosed defense and offensive contributions.
Carter joined the Magic on February 6, shortly after the team traded veteran guard Tyus Jones and following his release from the Bulls. While with Chicago, Carter averaged 5.4 points and shot 41% from beyond the arc in limited minutes. In Sacramento, his defensive efforts were evident as the Kings struggled to score with him as the closest defender.
The game against the Kings ended in a decisive 131-94 victory for Orlando, and Carter relished the experience. “I pride myself on hard work. Hard work always pays off,” Carter shared, reflecting on his performance and the joy of playing with his new teammates.
Carter's impact extends beyond the court, with teammates like Paolo Banchero noting his energy and leadership. “He’s active on defense, a shot-maker on offense, and he tries to make the right play as a point guard,” Banchero said, highlighting Carter's fit with the team’s ethos.
As the Magic prepare for a back-to-back against the Suns and Clippers, Carter understands the importance of each game in their push up the Eastern Conference standings. “We are just taking every game one-by-one, treating them like mini-playoff series,” he emphasized.
With Carter in the mix, the Magic are poised to make some noise in the final stretch of the season. Up next, they face the Clippers, looking to build on their momentum.