Lakers Preaching Patience To Collin Sexton

Los Angeles Lakers guard Collin Sexton is starting to his a rhythm in his role with the team and a big reason for that is his conversations with the coaching staff.

According to Sexton, JJ Redick and the staff have emphasized patience when he is running the offense.

“That’s one word I have been using each and every day,” Sexton said on Spectrum SportsNet after Monday’s win over the Atlanta Hawks. “I’ve been praying to God every day to give me patience and allow me to continue to work my way into a role that I like, but also work my rhythm and get back to where I feel like I’m back. So I would say each and every day is gonna have its ups and downs, but I’m blessed to be able to go out there and help the team. So I’m excited.”

Sexton missed time in the preseason and to begin the year with a calf injury, so it naturally would be a while before he was in mid-season form. The guard appreciates what Redick has been preaching to him though through some early-season struggles.

“Honestly, just building that trust with Coach JJ,” Sexton said. “He’s allowing me to play free and he wants me to be aggressive when I can but also make sure I’m getting guys in the right spots and I feel like I did that tonight.”

The Lakers began their road trip with two impressive wins over the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks in a back-to-back set. Luka Doncic sat out the first game and then Austin Reaves sat out the second, leaving the Lakers without a star and primary ball-handler in each.

That meant more opportunities for Sexton and he discussed how his role changes when one of the stars is out.

“Whenever those guys are in or out, I have to adjust and I feel like adjusting is something I have been doing my entire career,” he said. “I’ve played every role, starter, scorer, sixth man off the bench. I’ve played every role, so it’s nothing that’s new to me. If I come in with the right attitude and right approach, I feel like I can get it done.”

Sexton came through for the Lakers in both games, dropping 17 points against the Pistons and then 18 with six assists against the Hawks.

Collin Sexton enjoyed playing in hometown

Sexton is from the Atlanta area, and he enjoyed playing in front of a lot of friends and family in Monday’s win.

“I had a good bit of family come, I think it was like 400-500 people coming to see me tonight,” Sexton said. “So it felt good, felt like a homecoming. Whenever we come, they always show love and show out. So I wanted to get the win in front of the city and we did that tonight.”