When Jalen Suggs stepped onto the Kia Center court Sunday night against the Pistons, the Magic guard was rocking a new haircut.

More specifically, Suggs was completely bald.

After years of trying out different hairstyles, Suggs finally went all in on shaving it all off.

But why now? And who influenced his decision?

According to Suggs, it was all thanks to new teammate Jevon Carter.

“I got the haircut in light of Jevon,” Suggs said after practice Monday ahead of Tuesday’s game at Kia Center against the Wizards. “I’m trying to follow his footsteps with the baldy.”

Of course, Carter’s contributions to the team have gone well beyond impacting the hair choices of Suggs.

Entering Tuesday, the eighth year pro, who signed with Orlando on Feb. 6 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.

“The way that he works every day is top notch,” Suggs said about Carter. “He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve been around, for sure.”

In Orlando’s first six games out of the All-Star break, during which Carter joined coach Jamahl Mosley‘s 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.

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.

And it’s not just on the court where Carter has made a difference either.

Whether it’s been pre-game, in-game or post-game, he’s 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.

“My favorite part about (him) is, he’s held me accountable on multiple occasions,” Suggs said about Carter. “Just raw, uncut comms, not trying to sugarcoat, not trying to make me feel good. He’s just sharing real truth with me and I’ve appreciated that.

“It’s been nice having him around,” Suggs added.

As for Suggs himself, he’s still searching to find a rhythm after missing three games because of a back injury.

In his first game back last Thursday against Houston, 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.

Against Detroit 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.

“I thought last game was a much better approach, much better mindset,” he said. “That’s what my main focus was. I’ve 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.

“And that’s my mental, that’s my joy and that’s my intention every night,” he added. “Last game I thought I did a great job of that. Shots aren’t 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’ll knock down. So, I think last game was better. I’m building off that one.”

After hosting Washington onto Tuesday night, the Magic wrap up their four-game homestand Thursday against the Mavericks.

About a year ago, Suggs learned he’d be out indefinitely because of a left knee trochlea cartilage injury that later required season-ending surgery.

Healthy again with a new look, he’s just happy to have the chance to help the Magic make a postseason push now with Carter by his side.

“This is a fun time of the year,” Suggs said. “I’ve been preparing for this year, I’ve 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’s the biggest thing coming down the stretch.

“There are no do-overs, there are no takebacks and then once you get into the playoffs, that’s it and the season is over when you lose four,” he added. “So 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’s what I’m focusing on down the backstretch, and everything else will take care of itself.”

Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com

Up next …

Magic vs. Mavericks

When: 7 p.m., Thursday, Kia Center

TV: FanDuel Sports Network Florida