Devin Carter explodes as Kings silence Warriors in home finale
Devin Carter has spent the better part of two seasons waiting for the phone to ring—or in this case, for his number to be called. After a rookie campaign derailed by shoulder surgery, the young guard finally got his moment on Friday night, and he didn’t just seize it; he absolutely dismantled the defense. Carter exploded for a career-high 29 points, adding nine rebounds and four assists to lead the Sacramento Kings to a gritty 124-118 win over the Golden State Warriors. Honestly, it was the kind of performance that makes you wonder why he didn’t see more than 27 games of action this season, especially against a Warriors squad that passed on him last summer.
His efficiency was the real story, as he knocked down 11 of 18 from the field and showed a lethal stroke from deep. It wasn’t just a fluke, either. After the final buzzer echoed through the Golden 1 Center, Carter remained humble about the process. “It was challenging, but I pray all the time, so I think that just being strong in that aspect and knowing that my time will come eventually,” Carter told US News Hub Misryoum. “Toward the end of the year, obviously, I got an opportunity and I’m trying to make the best of it.”
The Kings proved they still have plenty of fight left, despite their record.
While Carter stole the show, the supporting cast was equally relentless. Maxime Raynaud and Daeqwon Plowden each chipped in significant production to keep the Kings ahead. The team collectively shot a staggering 53.5% from the floor in the first half, silencing Stephen Curry and the Warriors early on. Sacramento’s ability to bounce back after a brutal third quarter—where they were outscored 38-19—was the hallmark of a team that has clearly found its identity late in the year. Their 15-3 fourth-quarter run was nothing short of surgical, turning a late-game deficit into a statement win that sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
The night wasn’t entirely about the box score, however. The franchise took a moment to pivot from the action on the court to honor DeMar DeRozan. Although the veteran sat out with hamstring soreness, the arena was filled with montages celebrating his climb to 16th on the NBA’s career scoring list. Seeing him pass legends like Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett this season has been a privilege. Even Damian Lillard chimed in via video, calling DeRozan a “quality person” and a “solid father.” It was a poignant reminder that even as the Kings look toward a rebuild, they hold their veterans in the highest regard as they prepare for Sunday’s finale in Portland.