CLEVELAND, Ohio – Who is Kyrie?
With Irving in the building – with his second return to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse since he asked to trade in 2017, one that marked the beginning of the end of the Cleveland Cavaliers Eastern Conference dynasty, and changed Irving from adorable assassin to petty villain – the crown jewel of the lure trade has buried the Brooklyn Nets.
Collin Sexton made a much-anticipated showdown in his magnum opus with a late-three-point barrage that led the Cavs to a double overtime win of 147-135, while ‘Col-lin Sex-ton ‘Songs resound throughout the arena.
It used to be Irving, the killer who played late, who hit the biggest shot in franchise history, and was serenaded by the believers in Cleveland. The role now belongs to Sexton, who came to the city as a result of the summer film in 2017 with the Boston Celtics and then boldly chose to play Irving’s old no. 2 to wear.
It was quite an imitation.
Sexton scored a career-high 42 points on 16-of-29 from the field and 5-of-11 from a three-point series in his first game back after an absence of five games due to a sprained ankle. Sexton threw in seven points in the first overtime, including the draw-three-point in Irving’s face with 1.2 seconds left. Then Sexton broke out for another 15 points in the second overtime, responding to every Brooklyn bucket. At one point, the third-year guard scored 20 points in a row for the Cavs.
“He played out of his mind,” Cavs forward Cedi Osman said. He scored 25 points and set the attack on fire early while Sexton shook off the rust. “It was breathtaking.”
The bad feelings for Irving disappeared over time. This became apparent early in the first quarter when fans stood and cheered for a festive video tribute. It’s easier to move forward if there’s something else – or someone – to keep going. Instead of complaining about who is no longer here, looking at the banners that help Irving hang and wondering if the franchise can ever return to that place again, the Cavs still give reasons for hope. This season and in the future. Sexton is the center of it.
Wednesday was the latest example. The written-off Cavs play against one of the league’s title favorites recently added by James Harden. begin to bury them. Instead, the Cavs spent the entire season doing what they did: playing hard and purposeful as a connected team.
Then Sexton took over.
He surpassed both Durant, who hit a Nets high of 38 points, and Irving, who finished with 37 on 15-of-28 shots.
There was Irving, a portrait of the glory years, when the Cavs were at the pinnacle of the NBA. It was a nervous start. His first game since a two-week hiatus due to personal reasons, Irving opened the game with an offensive offense and tried to work his way past Sexton. Then came another turnover – a bad pass taken away by Andre Drummond.
But eventually Irving settled down. In the city where he became a multiple All-Star and produced countless memories, there were more than a few flashbacks. His triangular corner, directly in front of the Cavs bench, cut a one-time lead of 14 points to two with 4:12 left. His setback on the game was still about a minute.
Leaving the ball in his hands, Irving had the chance to play hero. He caught a deflection to Sexton’s turnover and started turning the clock on the floor. Irving walked to the basket and grabbed Sexton with an elbow in the face, initially calling it an offensive offense before Steve Nash’s challenge led to a turnaround. The spring ball was tapped by Durant and the clock expired and sent the game to OT, where Sexton shone.
“What Collin has proven time and time again against all his doubts is that he is not afraid of the big moments, and that he likes pressure-filled moments,” head coach JB Bickerstaff said. ‘Not everyone in our league has the courage to do what he did tonight. Not everyone in our league has the ability to do what he did tonight. Give the whole team credit for their resilience and for staying in it through difficult times. But Collin Sexton brought us home tonight. ‘
The Cavs used to be the Nets – a collection of stars with the ability to erase early spelling mistakes and overwhelm opponents with talent. It looked like it would be the difference for Brooklyn late, stealing a win with Harden drives, Durant jumpers and Irving buckets.
Not this time. Not with Sexton. All Irving could do was smile, laugh and shake his head, the same reactions opponents had after his individual outbursts.
“I definitely accepted the challenge,” Sexton said. “I knew it was not going to be easy, because it’s Kyrie.”
The two players will be linked forever. But nights like these allow Sexton to step out of that shadow and create his own legacy.
Still waiting
The Cavs were without Darius Garland for the eighth consecutive game due to a sprained right shoulder. Garland took part in the exercise on Monday and Tuesday, a positive sign for a return that is getting closer. But the Cavs wanted to be careful with the young point guard. Dylan Windler has recovered from his broken left hand, but a clerical case – which Yogi Ferrell signed last Monday with an exceptional exception – prevented him from prosecuting the case.
Following
The Cavs host the Nets again Friday night. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
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