OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain scored a season-high 21 points in a 105–86 win against the Brooklyn Nets. In the Thunder's sixth consecutive game without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, McCann's 21 points led Oklahoma City in scoring before his team's debut.
McCain, this has become a tradition for new players over the years debuted its bark During his first walk-off interview for the Thunder, according to FanDuel TV.
Jared McCain is barking in his Thunder postgame interview ??? pic.twitter.com/tdMDjD7PqZ
- NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) 21 February 2026
The new Thunder Player Postgame Bark began when Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams introduced it to fans in attendance and during walk-off interviews, and eventually became required for all new Thunder players.
Mark Daigneault praises Thunder for making major adjustments
With the Thunder missing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams for the next one to two weeks, head coach Mark Daigneault says that although Friday's win against the Nets was not good, his players found a way. The Thunder defense held the Nets to 10 points in the second quarter. Then, found their offensive rhythm in the second half.
For Daigneault, the absence of Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Ajay Mitchell has disrupted the Thunder's offensive continuity, forcing the defending champions to make quick adjustments.
"We're obviously missing some on-ball creators. So, the way we're trying to create an advantage is different right now," Daigneault said. "But once we get the lead and once we move the ball, those games are no different. I thought we played some pretty good plays. I also thought we had some plays we could learn from. We had a lot of turnovers. It wasn't a clean offensive game.
"It was tough to establish a rhythm with some of those plays, but guys are being put in good positions. Obviously, we have to start building our muscles collectively, but we also have to continue to develop those habits offensively."
The Thunder will host the Cavs in a matinee on Sunday.
