While fans have seen Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCann play some great basketball in his second season, Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse isn't surprised by it. To most NBA fans, the somewhat crowded backcourt resulted in McCann's departure, leading 76ers fans to question Nurse's approach amid a difficult season.
McCain working his way back from two injuries slowly gaining momentum With the 76ers before his trade to the Thunder, Nurse explained, according to PHLY Sixers.
The nurse said, "Coming up on 7-for-11 night. He was still dragging the knee brace around for a long time and recovering from an arm injury. I think he was affected by it physically for a long time, but I thought he was coming out of it." “I was hoping he would start getting back to his big, crazy nights where he can really step up and score a lot.”
With a season-high 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including 5-of-9 from deep, McCann helped lead the Thunder to a 121–92 victory against the Brooklyn Nets before the defending champions extended their winning streak to 11. The Thunder defeated the Washington Wizards 132-111 on Saturday.
McCann has shot a combined 14-30 from beyond the 3-point arc in his last four contests, hitting four threes en route to 18 points in the Thunder's win against the Wizards.
Jared McCann on the 76ers' approach versus the Thunder
Following the recent second-year guard's election offense, fans questioned 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey over Jared McCann's trade to the Thunder. One of the few similarities McCann mentioned about the Thunder is how 76ers head coach Nick Nurse uses Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey to guide his offense.
For McCain, he sees equal two-man game According to Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman, he said, between himself and Thunder All-Stars Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams.
"It's crazy. When I was in Philly, Joel used to do this with Tyrese, and I was like, 'Dang, it's really cool out there,'" McCain said. "So it's really fun to be able to be a part of it. Playing with Hart, J-Will and Chet, they're all elite legends. I'm excited to play with them."
Jared McCain asked if he had played with a big man who could make the screening a major play, like Isaiah Hartenstein:
"It's crazy. When I was in Philly, I used to do this with Joel Tyrese and I was like 'Dang, it's really cool there.' So to be able to be a part of it… pic.twitter.com/vTsyiC1P4u
- Justin Martinez (@Justintohoops) 17 March 2026
The 76ers will try to snap the Thunder's 11-game winning streak on Monday.
