Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Sacramento Kings player grades: Defense is a big, big problem

Here are the player grades for the Cavs’ 129-110 loss to the Kings. It’s the second game in a row the Cavs have given up 129 points. As always, be sure to share your grades below.

Collin Sexton: C+

Sexton scored reasonably well, at least in the first half and was a big reason why the Cavs were able to stay competitive up until half time. But, man, De’Aaron Fox had his way with Sexton and he couldn’t really defend any single player on the Kings. This was a game that served as a reminder of how far he has to go on that end.

Rodney Hood: D+

Hood was a non-factor in this game before he exited at half time with a foot injury. The hope now has to be that he’ll be healthy sooner rather than later.

Cedi Osman: D

Osman is in a funk right now. His three-point shot if off and he was clearly aiming shots in the second half. He looks frustrated and is not playing particularly good defense either. If there’s a player in need of a good game to get back on the right track, it’s Osman.

Larry Nance Jr.: B-

Nance was actually okay in this game. He was not quite as impactful as he’s been in other Cavs games, but was 4-5 from the field, drove to the rim well and rebounded. He wasn’t really the problem.

Tristan Thompson: C-

This was not a good Thompson game. He didn’t really gobble up any rebounds and had his issues defending the pick-and-roll. Some of those issues were on Sexton, or whoever got beat off the dribble, but Thompson wasn’t exactly making up for the mistakes.

Jordan Clarkson: B-

Clarkson scored a lot. He made a few bad decisions on shots and one assist for someone with the ball in their hands so much isn’t great. And defensively, he didn’t provide much of anything. But he scored a lot and that sort of helped, at least in the first half.

Alec Burks: B-

An 8-14 overall shooting night, to go along with a 3-6 night on three-pointers, is a pretty good indication of what he’d offer a team in a trade.

Jaron Blossomgame: D-

Congrats to Blossomgame for scoring his first NBA basket. But he is not an NBA player.

Jalen Jones: N/A

Only played in garbage time.

Ante Zizic: N/A

Only played in garbage time, but he did take a really bad post shot in his brief appearance.

Channing Frye: A++

He came in, got cheered, stroked two-three-pointers and organized the Cavs’ defense in garbage time. Icon.