Sacramento Kings rookie Devin Carter has been making waves in his first NBA season, and his standout performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 19 was one for the books. The Kings secured a 118-109 victory that night, with Carter playing a pivotal role in the win. His highlight moment came when he threw down an impressive dunk on Sam Merrill after Malik Monk’s steal.
“I never try to dunk on people because I always be scared of getting hurt,” Carter told Spencer Davies of RG on Sunday. “But I was just like, ‘Oh well.’” That bold statement came after his powerful right-handed dunk in the heart of the paint, an unforgettable moment at Golden1 Center.
Carter, known for his defensive prowess, had arguably his best game as a pro. He posted a career-high 16 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out three assists, and recorded three steals. His all-around performance gave the Kings a boost as they continue to battle for position in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament.
“It started off with defense,” Carter reflected. “Just got a few stops early and gave me confidence to do what I did on the offensive end. Just guarding Donovan (Mitchell), Ty (Jerome), I think that just fueled me to go on the other end and make some shots, get my teammates some shots. Glad we got the win.”
The Kings have already locked in their spot in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament, with only the question remaining of whether they will finish in 9th or 10th place. Currently, they are 39-41, just ahead of the Dallas Mavericks (38-42).
“We know that these games mean a lot,” Carter said. “We know we’re close. We’re the [ninth seed] right now, so we’re neck-and-neck with [Dallas].”
Carter’s development this season has been impressive, especially after a stint in the G League. He used those games to sharpen his skills, playing with increased confidence and improving his game. In three appearances with the Stockton Kings, he averaged 29.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.7 assists, helping him get back into a rhythm after not seeing consistent NBA minutes for several months.
“I think the second stint I did with the G League was really helpful because I played [three] games consistently while getting consistent run,” Carter said. “It was just a confidence thing. Just not having really touched the ball consistently for nine months, so just getting back into a flow of things.”
The 23-year-old Carter was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the 13th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. He is averaging 3.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 10.5 minutes per game.
