ATLANTA -- Collin Sexton was beginning to blossom. He had just reached double figures in scoring in his 18th straight game, accomplishing a feat that not even the great Kyrie Irving did during his rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Then on Dec. 10 in Milwaukee, things changed. Sexton encountered his latest first-year challenge in a season filled with them.
Tristan Thompson hobbled off the floor with a sprained foot, which has kept him out for the last 10 games. It's not a coincidence that Thompson's absence has coincided with Sexton's slide.
"It's been different," Sexton admitted following Saturday's 111-108 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.