In February, during the trade deadline, the Philadelphia 76ers made the faithful decision to trade Jared McCain, a year removed from NBA Rookie of the Year buzz, after a season-ending knee injury that limited him to 23 games.
Daryl Morey, the decision-maker who traded him, told the NBA world how he felt with the famous words of “sold high” on McCain after receiving a 2026 first-round pick (via Houston) and three future second-round picks from the words of McCain himself. He was devastated and in tears.
Fast forward two months, and McCain, only 22, was preparing for his first playoff run, exuding confidence. He scored 12 points in three games during his first-ever playoff series in the first round against the Phoenix Suns, playing just 21 minutes.
Jared McCain Has Been Instrumental in the Thunder’s Success
Against the Los Angeles Lakers, his quick and unwavering trigger swung multiple games in the second round. Averaging 11.5 points in 14.5 minutes per game, shooting a blistering 63.2% from beyond the arc on 4.8 attempts a game.
Against the San Antonio Spurs, his will and self-confidence has been series defining. Scoring 36 points in both of OKC’s victories.
The Thunder faced an uncharacteristic 15-0 deficit in the first few minutes of Game 3. Then, as they say, “strength in numbers”: McCain and the bench scored 76 points as a group, McCain (24 points) outscoring the entire Spurs bench (23 points), to overcome their disastrous start.
Victor Wembanyama’s indescribable length and mobility intimidate and disrupt entire offenses. However, McCain’s games know no such thing. His fearlessness and relentless attack mindset. Paying dividends here, shooting 9-for-11 inside the perimeter.
This mid-third-quarter sequence, where he had Wembanyama on an island. Wemby had seemingly shut off all options. Then McCain weightroomed him, flexing as his infectious positive energy radiated to his teammates.
Jared McCain in attack mode 😤
He's got 13 PTS in Game 3!
OKC leads by 8 in Q3 🍿 pic.twitter.com/N0rWUR9KNG
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2026
The Spurs would try to make one last push, but McCain would answer their final punch. Scoring nine of his playoff-career-high 24 points in the fourth quarter. He did whatever was needed: fulfilling his role to providing spacing for the offense. Shooting 10-for-21 from the floor and 2-for-10 from beyond the arc.
The efficiency from three does not matter here, as his willingness and indifference on his misses are not only reassuring for the Thunder, but also something this franchise has never had. His energy, shot diet, and volume kept the Spurs honest.
When McCain first joined the Thunder, he wondered how he would fit in — not trying to disrupt what the defending champs had flowing in any way. Then the head of the snake and now back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the entire squad, empowered McCain to play his game and be himself, and the rest will follow through.
From playing in the G League in January to now flipping and swinging playoff series to the highest degree for the reigning champs. The “sold high” comments are in the rear-view mirror, and McCain himself has moved on and is not trying to prove Morey wrong.
“It’s never to prove anybody wrong. I try to keep a positive outlook,” McCain said. “I like proving my support system right.”
Main Image: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
