Perhaps one of the most surprising things about this season’s Western Conference Finals is how the Oklahoma City Thunder bench has taken over the series so far. One of the biggest reasons for that is the defending champs’ latest acquisition. Jared McCain is elevating his level of play and continues to shine for OKC at the best time, as they seek a 3-1 lead in the Thunder vs Spurs series.
Since being traded to Oklahoma City at the trade deadline, it has been a miracle run for McCain. The former Philadelphia 76ers guard started as a backup shooter to pair with Isaiah Joe (who also happens to be a former Sixers player). As the second half of the season went along, McCain gained momentum and suddenly became a fan favorite, eventually earning minutes in Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault’s deeper rotation.
Jared McCain Continues to Impress in Thunder’s Playoff Run
Now more than ever, McCain has proven himself worthy in OKC’s playoff rotation, especially for one who just came into Oklahoma City as a displaced player who lost his starting role due to rookie V.J. Edgecombe high-rising rookie season. The Sixers couldn’t work out to find a way to let him contribute off the bench but he’s putting up the best stretch of performances of his career while playing for the defending champions.
Sold Not High Enough
McCain was traded to the Thunder in exchange for a late first-rounder and three second-round picks. Sixers former general manager Daryl Morey was confident that he sold high for the Duke product. In just a matter of a few games, McCain went on to prove that Morey wasn’t really good at appraisals. With the defending champions, McCain averaged 10.4 points (in 18.0 minutes) per game, posting .462-.391-.853 shooting splits. He became a key piece of the Oklahoma City bench.
Then came the playoffs, and McCain was expected to be unplayable to begin with. He played only 22 total minutes in the Thunder’s first round series, even as OKC swept the Phoenix Suns. After that, he became a lethal weapon. With the Thunder facing LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round, McCain averaged 14.6 minutes per game that series. His most impressive performance saw him score 18 points in 18 minutes.
In the series against the Spurs, McCain began to play a bigger role in the rotation as one of the key players off the bench. At this point, even former NBA star Blake Griffin had to address the fact that the Sixers failed to realize his value.
Jared McCain on Daryl Morey trading him: “It’s never to prove anybody wrong. I try to keep a positive outlook. I like proving my support system right. Daryl’s still the guy that drafted me, so I’ll always have love for him for that. He believed in me enough to take me at No. 16.” pic.twitter.com/nZdfbwUOE0
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) May 23, 2026
In a postgame presser that illuminated McCain’s character, he reveals he still appreciates how Morey went on to draft him. As far as Griffin’s statement, his only response was: “Shoutout Philly.”
McCain Will See Bigger Minutes in the WCF
As of right now, Jalen Williams is questionable heading into Game 4 and Ajay Mitchell has suffered another injury as well. So, it seems that the Thunder bench will be short one more player, with a possibility that McCain would be heading into the starting lineup. However, even if not, he’s still poised to get more minutes because OKC will be down a playmaker. On top of that, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is already getting a heavy defensive coverage, the Spurs double-teaming him on most possessions.
With that being said, McCain himself is a capable ball-handler himself, and it does seem that he’ll be getting bigger responsibilities in Game 4.
Fresh off a career night in Game 3, where he scored 24 points on 10-of-21 shooting, McCain enters Game 4 with bigger expectations. His fearless play against the Spurs has been one of the major reasons why they were able to get back into that game down 0-15 to start. McCain was consistent in hitting the best shots for Oklahoma City, drilling timely threes — even though he went 2-for-10 from deep. It was his hustle, playmaking, and aggressiveness that helped him make an impact and steal one on the road.
Can McCain Deliver for OKC?
Oklahoma City has proven that it can go 10-12 deep in its rotation. They’ve been able to showcase their deep rotation by unlocking the likes of Alex Caruso, Jaylin Williams, and Cason Wallace. Still, there’s more to expect as McCain now becomes the next man up with J-Dub and Mitchell out. To be honest, it does seem that the Sixers failed to actually place a bigger value on him, and even got less than what they could have, considering his level of play with the Thunder.
If OKC is going to prove that they can go against one of the best teams in the West, McCain has to step up even further and deliver to get one more win, and claim a chance to win at home.
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