Devin Carter just absolutely popped off for the Boston Celtics in his debut game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, dropping 17 points, 5 boards, 3 assists, and 2 steals. This guy, who was staring at the NBA’s outer edges just weeks ago after getting waived, showed up big time on Thursday night, proving he belongs.
From NBA Outcast to Celtics Firepower
Man, it’s been a wild ride for Devin Carter. Just two summers back, he was the 14th overall pick in the 2024 draft for the Sacramento Kings. Fast forward to June, he’s traded to the Atlanta Hawks in a salary dump, then last month, Atlanta just waived him. Think about that: a lottery pick, suddenly on the outside looking in, trying to find a home super fast before training camp even kicked off.
“It was tough,” Carter admitted. “I got traded I want to say at the end of June, and then I didn’t get waived until right before training camp started. So it was tough, especially trying to find a home that fast.” But the Celtics, seeing the raw talent, swooped in with an Exhibit-10, training camp deal. He’s battling for one open two-way contract spot, with Dillon Mitchell and Amari Williams already locked in.
He’s clearly loving the environment, too. “Everything’s top class,” Carter raved about the Celtics. “Great players, great guys as off the court. That matters just as much as who they are on the court. But, the coaching staff’s great. Front office great. Everybody wants to work. Everybody shows up with the mindset ready to get better. So I think that’s a big thing in a winning organization.” Talk about buying in, right?
Making His Mark: The Stats Don’t Lie
And boy, did he show up. On Thursday night, Carter absolutely lit it up in his Celtics debut against the Cavaliers. We’re talking 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in just 24 minutes of preseason action. That’s a serious stat line for a guy fighting for his NBA life.
But it wasn’t just the numbers. His impact was tangible. The Celtics outscored the Cavs by a whopping 22 points when Carter was on the floor. Get this: when he was sidelined for the other 24 minutes, they were *outscored* by 11. That’s a +22 net rating, folks! You can’t fake that kind of immediate impact.
He was also an absolute beast at drawing fouls, going 6-6 from the free throw line, taking the second-most attempts in the entire game. Celtics assistant coach DJ MacLeay, who was calling shots for the second half, totally noticed. “I thought he did a really good job getting fouled,” MacLeay said. “He got downhill, attacked, scored. I thought he really put pressure on their defense and got us to the free throw line.” That’s exactly what you want from a guy trying to make a statement, putting pressure on the defense and getting easy points.
“I just wanted to go showcase how much I want to play and how much I deserve to be here,” Carter stated. “So, I just think that I’m blessed. All glory to God for the opportunity, and I think I went out there and played as hard as I could. That was what my goal was.” Mission accomplished, Devin. Mission accomplished.
So what’s next for Devin Carter? He’s laid down a serious marker with this debut performance. The stakes are clear: he’s fighting for that last two-way spot, and if he keeps putting up performances like this, it’s going to be impossible for the Celtics to ignore him. Keep your eyes peeled, because this kid is playing with something to prove.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Celtics Blog.
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