Cavs Top 3: A returning Collin Sexton not enough to last second loss

The Cavs fell to the Kings on Saturday night (Sunday morning) to the score of 100-98. The Cavs had a 98-97 lead with just barely over one second to go in the game. A quick, cross-court inbounds pass to Harrison Barnes and a three-pointer with just a third of a second remaining, the ball goes in and the Kings take the win. A tough pill to swallow for the Cavaliers, who saw Collin Sexton return to the court after missing the last few games.

Sexton played 40 minutes in his return, putting up 11-24, and six rebounds for 26 points. Unfortunately, he and Larry Nance did most of the damage for the starters, with Nance putting in 17 points and nine rebounds, and Darius Garland putting in 18 points but shot less than 40% from the floor.

The Cavs didn’t see Cedi Osman, Quinn Cook, or Dylan Windler play at all, instead, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff gave Dean Wade 31 minutes, Damyean Dotson 23, and Lamar Stevens 15 as the only players to come off the bench for the Cavs.

De’Aaron Fox went off on the Cavs, with the Kings guard dropping 36 points 62.5% from the floor, absolutely ghosting Sexton, Garland, and Isaac Okoro all night. he was the biggest contributor for the Kings until Barnes hit his 14th, 15th, and 16th point on the night with a beautiful three-pointer.

Top 3 Game Performers

1 Point – Dean Wade

Dean Wade shot 50% from the floor, put up 13 points, had six rebounds, two assists, and two steals, including a timely fourth-quarter one that helped sway the tide a bit. Wade is making a case to become a big-time piece of this team and has already shown to be a better on-ball defender than Kevin Love, a teammate he has a similar play style to.

2 Points – Larry Nance

Larry Nance put up 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals, and shot 50% from the floor, three-point, and free-throw line. Granted the last one isn’t a good thing. Nance at 28 has become a complete player and a necessary piece moving forward.

3 Points – Collin Sexton

Collin Sexton may have needed 40 minutes, but he did put up some solid stats in his return from injury. While his defense has never been good, his hustle and desire are never in question. Besides the 26 points, he had six rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while challenging Fox a lot throughout the game.