Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton has picked up this season right where he left off last season before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
In the team’s final five games before the NBA went on hiatus last season, Sexton was averaging 30.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.
In the team’s first six games this season, the 22-year-old is averaging 26.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game, while shooting 55.6 percent from the field and 55.0 percent from three-point.
Sexton hit a go-ahead three-pointer against the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 2 that helped seal a 96-91 comeback win.
“He’s a walking bucket,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after the game. “There are certain people who have a knack for putting the ball in the basket all sorts of ways. The kid is not afraid of the biggest moments. When we needed a basket, he went and manufactured a basket, and that’s a unique skill.”
In the come-from-behind win over the Hawks, the Cavaliers scored 26 points in the fourth quarter with Sexton scoring half of them, finishing the game with 27 points on 10-of-18 from the field and 2-of-5 from three-point.
“If we didn’t have him bailing us out of some bad possessions, if we didn’t have him making tough shots, if we didn’t have him providing the kind of offensive spark, offensive push, drive that he gives us, I don’t know how many points we would have scored, especially with Kev (Kevin Love) out. He’s been ridiculous,” said Bickerstaff.
Sexton’s fast start to this season can be attributed to his work ethic.
“He puts in as much time, if not more than anybody I’ve ever been around in this league,” said Bickerstaff. “He plays with a sense of purpose and understanding of who he is and how to play to his strengths. And it’s come to a point, too, where his teammates are comfortable now with him. They know how to make him better, get him the ball in the proper spots and how to play with him.”
