Hoops Habit
Fansided

5 players who may have played their last NBA game

By Jono Perilli

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 06: Vince Carter #15 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 06, 2020 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 06: Vince Carter #15 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 06, 2020 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

#1: Vince Carter

Let’s start with the saddest and most obvious statement, we may have just witnessed Vince Carter play his final NBA game. The worst thing is the sudden realization, that surprising punch to the face, the thought of the NBA without the veteran.

Carter, who turned 43 in January, has lapped up an illustrious career in the NBA, dominating the rim with his unnatural athleticism and pure shooting ability. Carter floated around several teams but is most synonymous with his tenure apart of the Toronto Raptors and the New Jersey Nets. His final seasons have been with the Atlanta Hawks, playing a veteran role in the development of the younger players on their team.

So it came as no surprise at the start of the season, when Vince Carter announced that the 2019-20 NBA season will be his final professional season.

Carter’s intention was to replicate the final season of Dwyane Wade, which only occurred last season. After all, it was a successful way to reflect and acknowledge the pure impact that Wade had on the sport, so it was more than possible for Carter to complete the same. However, it’s more than likely that we won’t even see his farewell tour come to an expected finale. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and the suspension of the season, it’s likely that Carter’s game has been played.

In an overtime loss against the New York Knicks, Carter scored five points in 12 and a half minutes of play. It was during the overtime period of this game, that the news of the NBA season suspending made its way into the world. Acknowledging this, Hawks’ coach, Lloyd Pierce, substituted Carter into the game with twenty seconds left in the game, allowing Carter to make his possible final shot in his career.

What’s so unfortunate about this whole situation is that Carter truly deserves the same farewell tour treatment that Wade received. His impact on the game is remarkable and he is a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer, for sure. So seeing his final game come against a meaningless game against the Knicks, hurts to see.

Though it’s more than likely his final game in the NBA, we’re here crossing our fingers that Carter can end on a positive end.