NBA Notes: Celtics, Devin Carter, Wizards, Alex Sarr, Lakers, Walker Kessler

Celtics

Devin Carter looked like a guy trying to remind people why he was a lottery pick.

Carter, the No. 14 overall pick in 2024, scored 17 points with five rebounds, three assists and two steals in Boston’s 124-113 preseason win over the Cavaliers on Thursday.

As Noa Dalzell of CelticsBlog noted, Carter is fighting for Boston’s final two-way spot after being traded by Sacramento, then waived by Atlanta before camp.

“I just wanted to go showcase how much I want to play and how much I deserve to be here,” Carter said.

The Celtics outscored Cleveland by 22 points during Carter’s 24 minutes, and his defensive pressure stood out along with his ability to get downhill.

Carter also said he has talked with Neemias Queta about taking a similar path after being waived by Sacramento.

“Everything happens for a reason,” Carter said.

Wizards

Alex Sarr could be back as soon as Saturday. Wizards coach Brian Keefe said Sarr is “trending toward” returning after missing Washington’s preseason opener, according to Greg Finberg of Bullets Forever.

Khris Middleton is also moving closer to a return as he continues his ramp-up.

Meanwhile, Bub Carrington and Justin Champagnie both helped themselves in Washington’s 111-109 win over the Knicks. Carrington scored 11 points, while Champagnie finished with 12 points, two blocks and two steals.

“Justin can play with almost any lineup because of the intangible things that he does,” Keefe said.

Lakers

Walker Kessler still hasn’t appeared in the preseason, but neither he nor JJ Redick sounds especially worried.

Kessler has been sidelined by a jammed finger suffered during training camp, though Redick said before Thursday’s game that the big man will play before the preseason ends.

“Finger’s good. Finger’s good,” Kessler said during the Lakers broadcast, via Jackson Frank of Silver Screen and Roll.

Kessler said he is still going through the necessary protocols and stopped short of naming a return date.

In his absence, Sandro Mamukelashvili has made a pretty good case for playing time, averaging 14 points through three preseason games and shooting 57.1 percent from both the field and 3-point range.

That gives Redick one more frontcourt option to think about once Kessler gets back.