"It wasn't lost on Pooh Jeter that a year ago he was playing basketball in Israel.

Wednesday night he started his first NBA game in place of the injured Tyreke Evans in the Kings' 119-95 loss to the Boston Celtics at TD Garden.

Evans (sprained left ankle) is day-to-day.

Jeter said he was "definitely excited" about his first start. Jeter has become a key player in the fourth quarter recently. He scored the game-tying basket to force overtime Tuesday in Washington.

"I think the more games that I've played the more that I got into the rhythm of 'This is what I need to do,'" Jeter said.

Jeter had 10 points and four assists. He played in season-high 40 minutes, 53 seconds in his first game in Boston.

"There's definitely a wow factor," Jeter said. "But as soon as I hear that whistle and see that jump ball, now it's time to work."

Jeter drew a tough matchup in his first start in Boston star Rajon Rono.

"I think that (Jeter) did everything you could hope for him to do," said Kings coach Paul Westphal. "Rajon Rondo was kind was kind of toying with the game a lot of times both offensively and defensively but he's that good. Pooh went out there and played 40 minutes of tough basketball and it was a great experience for him.""