{"id":637026,"date":"2026-03-03T17:36:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T17:36:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/637026\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T17:36:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T17:36:14","slug":"orlando-magics-jevon-carter-influences-jalen-suggs-hairstyle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/637026\/","title":{"rendered":"Orlando Magic’s Jevon Carter influences Jalen Suggs’ hairstyle"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Jalen Suggs<\/a> stepped onto the Kia Center<\/a> court Sunday night against the Pistons<\/a>, the Magic<\/a> guard was rocking a new haircut.<\/p>\n

More specifically, Suggs was completely bald.<\/p>\n

After years of trying out different hairstyles, Suggs finally went all in on shaving it all off.<\/p>\n

But why now? And who influenced his decision?<\/p>\n

According to Suggs, it was all thanks to new teammate Jevon Carter<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got the haircut in light of Jevon,\u201d Suggs said after practice Monday ahead of Tuesday\u2019s game at Kia Center<\/a> against the Wizards<\/a>. \u201cI\u2019m trying to follow his footsteps with the baldy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Of course, Carter\u2019s contributions to the team have gone well beyond impacting the hair choices of Suggs.<\/p>\n

Entering Tuesday, the eighth year pro, who signed with Orlando on Feb. 6<\/a> after it traded away Tyus Jones, averaged 6.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals during 21.1 minutes per night across seven games.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe way that he works every day is top notch,\u201d Suggs said about Carter. \u201cHe\u2019s one of the hardest workers I\u2019ve been around, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

In Orlando\u2019s first six games out of the All-Star break, during which Carter joined coach Jamahl Mosley<\/a>\u2018s rotation averaging 23.8 minutes off the bench, opposing players shot more than three percentage points worse (minus-3.1%) from the field with Carter as the closest defender, according to NBA.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That difference in percentage points increased to more than eight (minus-8.4%) when players shot from 3-point range with Carter as the nearest defender in that same stretch, according to league-tracking data<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s not just on the court where Carter has made a difference either.<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s been pre-game, in-game or post-game, he\u2019s helped Suggs and others in the Magic locker room by communicating what he believes they need to hear rather than just what they might like to hear.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy favorite part about (him) is, he\u2019s held me accountable on multiple occasions,\u201d Suggs said about Carter. \u201cJust raw, uncut comms, not trying to sugarcoat, not trying to make me feel good. He\u2019s just sharing real truth with me and I\u2019ve appreciated that.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been nice having him around,\u201d Suggs added.<\/p>\n

As for Suggs himself, he\u2019s still searching to find a rhythm after missing three games because of a back injury.<\/p>\n

In his first game back last Thursday against Houston<\/a>, the Magic guard shot 1-for-5 from the floor for just two points while turning the ball over four times in 13 restricted minutes.<\/p>\n

Against Detroit<\/a> on Sunday, Suggs shot 4-for-17 from the field, but all four of his makes came from distance. He added three rebounds and four assists with only two turnovers in 26 minutes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought last game was a much better approach, much better mindset,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s what my main focus was. I\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s my mental, that\u2019s my joy and that\u2019s my intention every night,\u201d he added. \u201cLast game I thought I did a great job of that. Shots aren\u2019t 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\u2019ll knock down. So, I think last game was better. I\u2019m building off that one.\u201d<\/p>\n

After hosting Washington onto Tuesday night, the Magic wrap up their four-game homestand Thursday against the Mavericks.<\/p>\n

About a year ago, Suggs learned he\u2019d be out indefinitely because of a left knee trochlea cartilage injury that later required season-ending surgery.<\/p>\n

Healthy again with a new look, he\u2019s just happy to have the chance to help the Magic make a postseason push now with Carter by his side.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a fun time of the year,\u201d Suggs said. \u201cI\u2019ve been preparing for this year, I\u2019ve 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\u2019s the biggest thing coming down the stretch.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are no do-overs, there are no takebacks and then once you get into the playoffs, that\u2019s it and the season is over when you lose four,\u201d he added. \u201cSo 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\u2019s what I\u2019m focusing on down the backstretch, and everything else will take care of itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Up next \u2026<\/p>\n

Magic vs. Mavericks<\/p>\n

When: 7 p.m., Thursday, Kia Center<\/p>\n

TV:\u00a0FanDuel Sports Network Florida<\/p>\n

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