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Vince Carter Reacts To The Possible End Of His NBA Career
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The NBA announced Wednesday night it was suspending all regular season games after a player on the Utah Jazz tested positive for coronavirus.
The Atlanta Hawks were in the final moments of their game against the New York Knicks at State Farm Arena when the news began circulating.
NBA To Suspend Season Following Tonight's Games pic.twitter.com/2PTx2fkLlW— NBA (@NBA) March 12, 2020
Vince Carter, the oldest player in the NBA, didn't enter the contest thinking it could potentially be his last.
"It's a weird way to say I'm calling it a career," joked Carter during his postgame press conference.
Carter announced last summer that the 2019-2020 season would be his last as an NBA player.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C34pfNCrWK8&ab_channel=NBAonESPN
Hawks Coach Lloyd Pierce sent Carter back into the game in the final moments of overtime, making sure he got at least one more curtain call.
Carter didn't disappoint, hitting a three-pointer in the final moments of a 136-131 loss that could go down as his final appearance after a 22-year career.
VINCE FOREVER. pic.twitter.com/e0XNrvbROS— FOX Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnFSSE) March 12, 2020
"Basketball has been good to me," Carter said. "Every moment of it, good and bad. So if this is it, it's all good. At least I made my last basket."
Carter spent a little time looking back on his career, including his matchups against NBA legends like Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan.
"There aren't a lot of people that can say this," Carter said. "But I played against some of the best players that have ever played this game. I got an opportunity to lace them up against two of the greatest to ever do it. That means I'm old, but i'm thankful for it."
If Carter does indeed retire after Wednesday night, he will go down as the 19th leading scorer in NBA history after playing more than 1,500 games.
Carter is also the only NBA player to have his career span four decades. The 43-year-old was drafted in 1998.
The NBA hasn't announced how long the suspension of the season will last or if the playoffs will go on as scheduled next month.
The Hawks, who are outside the playoff picture, have 15 games remaining in the regular season.
Such a weird night but I am truly thankful for each and every person during this 22yr journey.
If this is really it, I thank everyone for your love and support for all these years.
B E Z— Vince Carter (@mrvincecarter15) March 12, 2020