On Sunday night at the Kia Center, Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs took the court against the Detroit Pistons sporting a completely shaved head, marking a dramatic change from his previous hairstyles. After years of experimenting with different looks, Suggs finally decided to go fully bald, a choice he attributes directly to his teammate Jevon Carter’s influence.
Following Monday’s practice ahead of Tuesday’s game versus the Washington Wizards, Suggs explained,
“I got the haircut in light of Jevon. I’m trying to follow his footsteps with the baldy.”
Jevon Carter’s Role Extends Beyond Appearance
Jevon Carter, who joined the Magic on February 6 after the team traded Tyus Jones, has quickly become a key contributor both on and off the court. The eight-year veteran was averaging 6.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals in around 21 minutes of play across seven games by Tuesday.
Suggs highlighted Carter’s work ethic, sharing,
“The way that he works every day is top notch. He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve been around, for sure.”
Since the All-Star break, Carter has been an integral part of coach Jamahl Mosley’s rotation, averaging nearly 24 minutes off the bench. Defensive metrics show that opponents shot 3.1 percentage points worse from the field when Carter was their nearest defender, and at the three-point line, his presence cut shooting percentages by an even larger margin of 8.4 points, according to NBA tracking data.
Leadership and Accountability in the Locker Room
Beyond statistics, Carter’s influence resonates in the Magic locker room. He supports teammates by providing honest feedback, even when it’s difficult to hear. Suggs praised this quality, saying,
“My favorite part about him is, he’s held me accountable on multiple occasions. Just raw, uncut comms, not trying to sugarcoat, not trying to make me feel good. He’s just sharing real truth with me and I’ve appreciated that.”
Adding to the sense of camaraderie, Suggs remarked,
“It’s been nice having him around.”
Jalen Suggs Works to Regain Consistency After Injury
Returning from a back injury that sidelined him for three games, Suggs is attempting to regain his rhythm on the floor. His first game back against the Houston Rockets last Thursday was challenging, as he made only one of five shots for two points and recorded four turnovers in limited minutes.
Despite shooting 4-for-17 against Detroit on Sunday, Suggs scored all his field goals from beyond the arc, while contributing three rebounds and four assists with only two turnovers during 26 minutes. Reflecting on the performance, Suggs stated,
“I thought last game was a much better approach, much better mindset. That’s what my main focus was. I’ve been putting in the work. But for me, it was my approach that was throwing me off, specifically that first game back. (It was) a really good wakeup call. Just been trying to get back into my rhythm, get back to work, focus on the things that I actually can control, things that I can do.”
He added,
“And that’s my mental, that’s my joy and that’s my intention every night. Last game I thought I did a great job of that. Shots aren’t always going to fall. A couple I wish I had back. But for the most part, solid looks. (I) smoked layups and open trey-balls that I’ll knock down. So, I think last game was better. I’m building off that one.”
Upcoming Games and Season Outlook
Following the Tuesday night contest with Washington, the Magic will conclude their four-game homestand on Thursday by hosting the Dallas Mavericks at the Kia Center. The game is set to start at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network Florida.
About a year ago, Suggs faced a significant setback after suffering a serious injury to the left knee’s trochlea cartilage, which led to season-ending surgery. Now fully recovered and sporting a fresh appearance, Suggs is eager to contribute alongside Carter to help the Magic secure a postseason berth.
Reflecting on the intensity of this stage in the season, Suggs expressed,
“This is a fun time of the year. I’ve been preparing for this year, I’ve been looking forward to it, so I think not overthinking it, just coming out and being in the moment, being fully intentional and prepared every night for my squad, that’s the biggest thing coming down the stretch.”
He also noted,
“There are no do-overs, there are no takebacks and then once you get into the playoffs, that’s it and the season is over when you lose four. So for me, just trying to come out here and have fun, get back to that joy and passion instead of letting it drift and kind of being a victim of things, that’s what I’m focusing on down the backstretch, and everything else will take care of itself.”
