NBA notebook: Carter, 41, plans to return for one more season

The regular-season finale against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday might not have been the final game for Sacramento Kings veteran Vince Carter.

The 41-year-old Carter told The Undefeated that he plans to play next season, which would be the 21st year of his career. He said he probably would retire after the 2018-19 campaign.

“I plan on coming back next season,” said Carter, who will become an unrestricted free agent in July. “I plan on coming back one more season. I’m almost 90 percent sure that’s it after next season.”

The eight-time All-Star is no longer the force he was earlier in his career. This season, he is averaging 5.3 points and 2.5 rebounds in 57 games with the Kings. He entered the night ranked 22nd on the NBA all-time scoring list with 24,856 points.

–Villanova guard Jalen Brunson is entering the 2018 NBA Draft.

Brunson made the announcement in a letter published by ESPN.com. He follows All-American Mikal Bridges in the parade of talent turning pro from Villanova. Both players won two national championships in the past three seasons.

Brunson was the consensus national player of the year, guiding Villanova to a 36-4 record and the NCAA title. Brunson averaged 18.9 points and 4.6 assists per game while starting all 40 games for the Wildcats.

–The Milwaukee Bucks welcomed back Giannis Antetokounmpo and Matthew Dellavedova for their regular-season finale against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Both were nursing right ankle injuries.

Antetokounmpo, who missed the previous two games, entered the night averaging 27.1 points, 10 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. Dellavedova had not played since early February and was averaging 4.4 points and 3.8 assists in 19 minutes per game.

–Houston Rockets forward Luc Mbah a Moute likely will miss the first round of the playoffs due to his dislocated right shoulder, according to multiple reports.

Mbah a Moute, 31, underwent an MRI exam that confirmed the injury. He dislocated the shoulder during the Rockets’ Tuesday win over the Los Angeles Lakers. USA Today reported that Mbah a Moute could be out longer than just the opening round of the postseason.

The 10th-year veteran is averaging 7.5 points and 25.6 minutes per game this season.

–Field Level Media