Cameron Carr absolutely exploded for 19 points in his first ever NBA preseason game, helping the Los Angeles Lakers secure a 127-103 victory over the Sacramento Kings. But get this: the dude was straight up nervous. He told reporters after the game, “I was definitely nervous. It’s real. It’s human so I was definitely nervous.” Talk about a crazy way to kick off your pro career.
Nerves? What Nerves?! Carr’s Wild On-Court Showing
You wouldn’t have known Carr had any jitters watching him play. He was on fire, sinking 7-of-13 shots overall and hitting 3-of-7 from downtown. He added three rebounds, two assists, and two steals for a stacked stat line in just 23 minutes on the court. His range was impressive, showing off a smooth stroke from beyond the arc. And it wasn’t just shooting. Carr showed he can take tight routes around screens to find space, looking incredibly fluid covering ground with his 6-foot-5 frame and massive 7-foot-1 wingspan. This guy was moving! He looked confident as a long-range shooter, chucking up seven attempts, and really seemed to read space well inside the arc, going 4-of-6 on 2-pointers. Whether it was curling efficiently around screens to get a shot off or just running in the open floor, he looked like he belonged. For context, back at Baylor last season, Carr shot 60.2% on 2-pointers and 37.4% from 3-point range on 6.1 attempts per game, so the long-range confidence seems to be carrying over.
A Crowded Road Ahead, But Carr Is Ready
Even with that electric debut, Carr’s path to consistent minutes isn’t easy. The Lakers’ wing room is packed, even if it’s not the strongest part of the roster. Guys like Quentin Grimes, Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle, Jake LaRavia, and even Austin Reaves are all vying for time. It’s gonna be interesting to see how much serious burn Carr can actually get this season. The smart money says he’ll probably spend a good chunk of time down in the G League with the South Bay Lakers. That’s where he’d get a ton of playing time to really refine his game, boost his physicality, and add some serious strength. But hey, this Monday night outing was a huge positive showing, his first real taste of NBA basketball. Based on what he’s saying, he’s ready to keep pushing. “Every chance I get to step on the court,” he said, “[I’m] just growing in areas and just getting more comfortable with just playing in the offense and being more efficient.” That’s the attitude you love to see.
Carr definitely put the league on notice with that performance. It’s a fantastic foundation to build on, whether he’s with the big club or refining his game in the G League. Lakers fans should be pumped to watch this kid grow and see what he brings to the court next time his number is called.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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