Collin Sexton comes across as well mannered and understated.
… Until you watch him play.
The 27-year-old guard transforms from someone who speaks in hushed tones and politely nods in the locker room into someone who more intently resembles a rabid animal when he’s on the court docket.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Cam Christie, left, tries to get previous Los Angeles Lakers guard Collin Sexton during the first half of an NBA basketball sport Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
In a viral video of him guarding Cam Christie in the Lakers’ 103-87 win over the Clippers on Wednesday, Sexton’s eyes were bulging. His jaw was clenched, except for his tongue poking out. It virtually seems as though he was roaring.
When his on-court vs. off-court dichotomy was introduced to Sexton’s consideration after the sport, he chuckled.
“Honestly, I would say when I step between those lines, it’s us against them,” said Sexton, who had 21 factors on 6-for-11 taking pictures, 4 rebounds and two assists as the Lakers improved to 4-1.
“I’m going to do whatever my team needs for me. I feel like I turn into a different person when it’s time to go. And I think my teammates know that, so they try to talk to me a little bit, but they know I’m in the zone and ready to go to war. And that’s how I look at it. Whenever I step between those lines, it’s war time. So, that’s how I look at it, for sure.”
Los Angeles Lakers guard Collin Sexton, proper, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers middle Brook Lopez defends during the second half of an NBA basketball sport Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
On a night time when the Lakers were lacking two starters in Luka Doncic (back tightness) and Ziaire Williams (left foot soreness), Sexton had the highest plus-minus of anyone on the court docket (+23).
The Lakers acquired Sexton on a two-year, $19 million deal in July, hoping the veteran could be a secondary ball-handler and give the Lakers a scoring punch off the bench. He has profession averages of 18.3 factors, 2.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists over eight seasons with the Cavaliers, Jazz, Hornets and Bulls.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Collin Sexton reacts after scoring during the second half of an NBA basketball sport against the Los Angeles Clippers, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
So far, the Lakers have appreciated what he’s bringing to the crew on both ends of the court docket. Austin Reaves has described him as a “pest” defensively. Lakers coach JJ Redick called him “intense.”
“Sometimes it’s hard to get his attention, you know, because he gets locked in, he gets in the zone,” Redick said. “I love the competitive fire.”