If things go according to plan, Jared McCain is set to make his season debut for the Philadelphia 76ers. In a game against the Chicago Bulls to decide who will sit atop the Eastern Conference standings, McCain is currently listed as probable for the contest.
A month before the season began, the former Sixers rookie suffered a torn ligament in his right thumb, and has yet to suit up for a game this year. However, after the two-week absence, all signs point to McCain playing in Chicago.
“The Philadelphia 76ers upgraded Jared McCain to probable for Tuesday’s game in Chicago against the Bulls, clearing the way for the second-year guard to make his season debut in a battle of surprising teams tied for first place in the Eastern Conference two weeks into the season,” Tim Bontemps wrote for ESPN.
McCain played in only 23 games in his rookie season last year after suffering a torn meniscus in December. Despite leading the race for Rookie of the Year at the time of his injury with averages of 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, McCain opted for season-ending surgery and has yet to play since.
McCain Probable For Sixers Season Debut
Like he is for McCain’s availability against the Bulls, Bontemps was on the front lines reporting on the 21-year-old’s injury a few weeks ago, which originally put his status in question.
“You almost can’t make it up, frankly,” Bontemps said on NBA Today in September when he reported the news. “Jared McCain working out today ahead of media day tomorrow. He tore the UCL in his right thumb on his shooting hand. It’s unclear how long he’s going to be out, but I don’t think it’s going to be a short-term absence.”
Bontemp’s word choice on McCain’s injury doesn’t come as a surprise for Sixers fans, especially considering the way in which his rookie season was cut short, and the long wait he was expected to have before a return this season.
“McCain was expected to play a significant role for Philadelphia this season, either starting alongside All-Star Tyrese Maxey in the 76ers’ backcourt or coming off the bench,” Bontemps wrote when the injury news broke. “McCain’s minutes will now go to Quentin Grimes, presuming the restricted free agent eventually comes to an agreement with Philadelphia to return this season, rookie VJ Edgecombe and veteran Kyle Lowry.”
However, after a few weeks off, the guard now appears prepared to make his debut. Despite the early roadblocks in his career, McCain now hopes to stay healthy in a year in which he is expected to show his true potential alongside Maxey andEdgecombe.
“McCain is set to return Tuesday, probably in a reserve role behind All-Star Tyrese Maxey and this season’s breakout rookie, No. 3 pick VJ Edgecombe,” Bontemps added.
Injury History For McCain And Sixers Isn’t Good
While his most recent UCL injury isn’t the biggest worry in terms of long-term impact, the lasting results of his meniscus tear could be more worrisome.
“That injury, which required season-ending surgery, saw McCain’s season end after those 23 games (including eight starts) with a 15.3 scoring average while shooting 38.3% from 3, and had the No. 16 pick in the 2024 NBA draft well on his way at the time to winning the league’s Rookie of the Year award,” Bontemps wrote.
The other current NBA players who have suffered a torn meniscus are Joel Embiid, Kawhi Leonard, and Karl-Anthony Towns, so it’s a mixed bag of players and the level of play they returned to after the injury.
However, while speculating on McCain’s injury future comes with very few or no guarantees, the injuries for players like Embiid and George have been much more of a leading storyline for the franchise.
Embiid has returned to play this season, suiting up in four games while averaging 17.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in about 22 minutes per night. With Maxey and Edgecombe leading the way, Philadelphia has seen more success with Embiid off the floor, but their league-leading 125.7 points per game is hard to deny, regardless of whether the 2023 MVP is behind those numbers.
The Sixers have a team good enough to win games without needing him on the floor or running the entire game through him.
This team is stacked with talent.
George has yet to play, and despite updates from general manager Daryl Morey, he still has no decisive timeline on a return.
Injuries have been a massive woe for the Sixers over the past few years, but the McCain news is a good sign for fans who have already seen their team make an unexpected jump with the other young guards leading the way.
Sixers Get Massive Jared McCain Injury Update Before Bulls Game