The Oklahoma City Thunder are now up 2-0 in their second-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Thunder dominated the second half of Game 2 to earn the 18-point victory.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way for the Thunder, scoring 22 points in 27 minutes in their 125-107 win. Chet Holmgren also had 22 points, adding nine rebounds, three assists, four steals and two blocks.
Jared McCain was the difference-maker in Game 2, scoring 18 points in 17 minutes off the bench.
Austin Reaves finally came out of his slump, putting up 31 points on 10-for-16 shooting, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Lakers from being down 2-0 in the series.
Jared McCain Sends Message to Philadelphia 76ers
GettyJared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 23, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Thunder added Jared McCain at the trade deadline, acquiring him from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick and three second-round picks.
McCain has been a huge addition to the Thunder, especially in the absence of Jalen Williams due to injuries. He has provided spark and energy off the bench for the defending NBA champs.
Speaking on NBA Nightcap on Amazon Prime Video, McCain spoke about being accepted by his new team. Toward the end of the interview, Blake Griffin joked about how the Sixers didn’t sell him high enough at the trade deadline.
McCain then replied, “Shoutout to Philly,” eliciting laughter from Griffin, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Udonis Haslem and host Taylor Rooks.
Griffin’s joke was alluding to Sixers president Daryl Morey’s comments about McCain’s trade back in February.
“I am quite confident we were selling high,” Morey said, via Sports Illustrated. “We weren’t looking to sell. I’ll be frank. Teams came to us with aggressive offers for him. You could say, ‘Yeah, that’s because he’s a good player.’ I agree with that.”
The Thunder weren’t sweating when they gave up a 2026 first-round pick for McCain since they still have three in this year’s draft.
Jared McCain Trade Went From Heartbreak To Blessing
GettyJared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder talks to VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers after a game at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 23, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In his same interview on NBA Nightcap, Jared McCain further opened up about his trade from the Sixers to the Thunder. McCain admitted that it was heartbreaking for him to get traded by Philly, but he now calls it a blessing playing for the Thunder.
“I thank God every day,” McCain said, via ClutchPoints. “This is a blessing. When I first got traded, it was heartbreaking. At that point, it was heartbreaking, and I did not understand what was going on. But coming here, it’s been nothing but love.”
While the Thunder have integrated McCain smoothly, the Sixers are not doing that bad either since trading him. They made the playoffs and even eliminated the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics in the first round.
However, the Sixers are down 2-0 to the New York Knicks heading into Games 3 and 4 in Philadelphia.
Thunder’s Jared McCain Sends Message to Sixers After Big Game 2 vs Lakers