An MRI administered today on Collin Sexton‘s injured left knee revealed that the Cavaliers guard sustained a meniscus tear, the team announced in a press release. Sexton left Cleveland’s Sunday win over New York in the second quarter after feeling discomfort in the knee.
The Cavs have yet to announce a potential recovery timeline for Sexton. That will likely be determined once the club decides whether the injury will be treated surgically or non-surgically. According to the press release, the 22-year-old will undergo additional evaluation before his status is updated.
The news puts a damper on Cleveland’s strong start to the season. After winning no more than 22 games in each of the last three seasons, the Cavs are off to an impressive 7-4 start in 2021/22, with youngsters like Sexton, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley leading the way.
Sexton, the eighth overall pick in 2018, was the Cavaliers’ leading scorer in each of the last two seasons, having put up a career-best 24.3 PPG in 60 games in 2020/21. He was off to a slower start this season, with his shooting line dipping to .453/.244/.744, but his 16.0 PPG still represents the highest mark on the team.
Recovery from a meniscus tear can vary from player to player depending on how the injury is treated, but it typically results in an absence of at least weeks, if not months. Hopefully we’ll get clarity soon on what Sexton’s timetable might look like.
With Sexton on the shelf, Cleveland figures to lean more heavily on Garland and veteran point guard Ricky Rubio, with Dylan Windler, Denzel Valentine, and Kevin Pangos among the reserves who could compete for minutes.
Sexton will be eligible for restricted free agency in 2022. The Cavs reportedly hope to sign him to a long-term deal.
I am going to copy and paste my comment from the previous article before this since it applies here too.
Well with Sexton now out with a torn Meniscus, if the Cavs can succeed without him then he might not receive an extension at all. Especially if over the next few years they plan on extending Garland, Okoro, Mobley, and even Rubio who is a FA this offseason. And they already paid Allen and Markkanen. Can’t keep them all, and he might be the odd man out.
Whoa, the Cavs will offer, just not a max. Cavs can’t rely on their Eiffel offense all the time. (I’m calling it that until.i hear otherwise.)
I mean I hope they do don’t get me wrong. I was just thinking from a GM’s perspective. They have a lot of young guys who might have to get paid eventually and of them all who would they not want to pay? Idk.
Cavs definitely aren’t going to be worse with Rubio getting more minutes. Garland is better off the ball and Windler looks like he can play if he can stay healthy.
Cavs are on the way up.
I walked home after my meniscus surgery, with a partial ACL tear. I get the NBA is rough on these athletes bodies, but he should be back in 3 to 4 weeks max.
Lol humblebrag thanks doc
So you went back to playing against best athletes in the world . Hmmmm
First he has to heal. Then get into game shape. Then go at it slowly at first. Be months after surgery. Probably after all star break.
Now they can get a good look at Garland with Mobley..
They already have. Kind of why we are 7-4. It’s not like Collin hasn’t gotten in the way of seeing the Garland-Mobley duo. Garland is 7th in the league in assists per game and Mobley is arguably the best rookie in the league. Nothing more they can really prove with him now out.
I agree, if anything it’s a better look at okoro
@gocavs
Certainly Okoro will get play but I think they would want to replace Sexton’s shooting. I think Windler will move to SG and split time with a 4 man rotation of him, Okoro, Markken and Cedi at the 2 and 3.
Nothing is proven in 10 games. Even Mobley needs the yr to prove Hess top 3 ROY.. Off to a good start though. Still my point now they can get a good look at Garland and Mobley. Considering Sexton wants a big deal. Cavs are better off moving him IMO.