Cavs Likely To Be Without Collin Sexton For ‘Extended’ Amount Of Time

The Cavaliers are expected to be without leading scorer Collin Sexton for a significant amount of time after announcing he had suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee.

Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, “expect Sexton to have an extended absence” from the lineup.

Sexton, 22, is 6-foot-1 and his scoring average has decreased by eight points from last season, from 24.3 points to 16.0 points through 11 games this year.

But a large part of that is because the Cavs have a more balanced lineup following the offseason additions of Lauri Markkanen, Ricky Rubio and No. 3 overall draft pick Evan Mobley.

Sexton underwent an MRI at the Cleveland Clinic on Monday after exiting the Cavs’ win over the Knicks on Sunday in the second quarter. The Cavs (7-4) have won four in a row, with eight of their next nine games at home.

Sexton has missed just 12 games in his first three plus years, with all coming last season.

Cleveland has already been forced to play without Markkannen, Kevin Love and Isaac Okoro for much of the early season. Markkanen and Love have both been out while in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, while Okoro has been suffering from a hamstring issue.

“It’s a massive loss,” Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com quoted a source as saying of Sexton.

Sexton’s absence is likely to lead to a starting role for veteran reserve Ricky Rubio. Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff could also opt for either Dylan Windler, Cedi Osman or Okoro (when healthy) in the event Bickerstaff wants to continue to bring Rubio off the bench.

The Cavs have already replaced Markkanen in the starting lineup with Dean Wade, while trying to fill in for Love by committee.

For more on Sexton, check out the latest on his potential contract extension right here on Hoops Wire.