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Jared McCain’s 21-Point Night Fuels Fresh Questions for 76ers After Thunder Trade

The guard’s breakout with injury-thinned Oklahoma City has sharpened criticism of Philadelphia’s choice to take future picks.

Overview

  • McCain posted a season-high 21 points on 7-for-12 shooting with three threes in a 105-86 win over the Nets, stepping in while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams were out.
  • In his first five games with Oklahoma City, he has shot about 45% from three, an encouraging but still small sample.
  • The 76ers dealt McCain at the Feb. 5 deadline for a 2026 first-round pick from Houston and three second-rounders.
  • Team president Daryl Morey described the move as selling high on McCain, a rationale that has faced immediate fan backlash.
  • Charles Barkley praised Sam Presti for acquiring McCain and questioned Philadelphia’s decision as the 76ers fell to a fourth straight loss and continued to struggle from deep without Joel Embiid and Paul George.