Devin Carter set a new career high in scoring on Wednesday, helping lead the short-handed Sacramento Kings to a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Golden 1 Center.
Carter produced 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals in the 123-119 victory as the Kings won their second straight game. He went 6-of-11 from the field, including 2-of-6 from 3-point range, in a season-high 30 minutes off the bench.
The 13th pick scored 14 points alone in the second half. He helped spark the Kings to a 76-63 advantage over the last two quarters, led by his energy and infectious defense.
“I think that Devin brings the physicality, swagger and confidence that I expect out of my team,” Kings interim coach Doug Christie said. “There is a calmness and competition in him. My grandma used to say: ‘Still waters run deep.’ He brought it big time.”
The Kings sent the Cavaliers to their third straight loss following a 16-game winning streak without Domantas Sabonis (ankle), Zach LaVine (personal) and Jake LaRavia (illness). They held a 41-37 rebounding advantage and converted 12 Cavaliers turnovers into 23 points.
DeMar DeRozan produced 18 of his 27 points in the second half to lead the Kings, while Malik Monk scored 22 points, eight assists and six rebounds and Trey Lyles added 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists off the bench.
“I think we came out and executed a game plan to what we prepared for,” Carter said. “They’re a hot team. We knew they were coming off a back-to-back. (I wanted to) pick up full court (and) try and make them more tired than they were. My teammates found me and gave me the confidence to go out there and play my game. I knew we were down a few guys, and knowing I was going to get a little extra tick tonight, I was trying to make the most of it.”
Carter debuted with the Kings on Jan. 3 after missing the start of the season due to offseason shoulder surgery. He finished in double figures on Wednesday for just the third time, surpassing his previous season high of 13 points set on Jan. 5.
The 23-year-old spent time in the G League to prepare to ramp up his on-court conditioning, averaging 26.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, two steals and 1.2 blocks in five appearances. He recorded a season-high 34 points and nine rebounds on Feb. 26.
Carter believes those minutes with Stockton helped him be ready to contribute to Sacramento. He knocked off some rust and worked on some elements of his game in a competitive environment, which helped him step in and play at a high level on Wednesday.
“It helps a lot,” Carter said of playing in the G League. “I had surgery and missed out on training camp, summer league and all of that. I didn’t play too many games. I missed the first 30 games and just wanted to get some reps. I feel like I wasn’t really ready, so I went down there, got my reps and played a role that I was going to play with the Kings. I just went down there and worked on things, confidence, conditioning — all of that.”
