The Oklahoma City Thunder-Los Angeles Lakers Game 2 battle was another matchup to rile up Philadelphia 76ers fans, who were certainly against the Jared McCain trade back in February.
For the second game in a row, McCain was a force off the bench for the Lakers. What transpired for the Sixers roughly 24 hours beforehand surely doesn’t help.
Following the Game 2 Thunder victory over the Lakers, it was revealed that McCain holds an impressive stat over the Sixers’ core backcourt through two games in the second round.
via StatMuse: “Threes in the Conference Semifinals:
8 — Jared McCain.
6 — Maxey and VJ combined.”
8 — Jared McCain 6 — Maxey and VJ combined
@dmorey
McCain checked into Game 2 on Thursday night for 18 minutes. He clocked the third-most minutes off the bench for the Thunder in the matchup.
While McCain didn’t pick up any stats beyond scoring and his lone turnover, the second-year guard was simply productive where he needed to be in the 125-107 win over the Lakers.
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. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
McCain shot 7-11 from the field and hit on all but one of his shots from three. The young rising star led the Thunder’s bench with 18 points.
The Thunder didn’t utilize McCain much in the first round. He exceeded 10 minutes of action just once against the Phoenix Suns. Round two has been different.
In Game 1 against the Lakers, McCain checked in for 15 minutes. He shot 4-5 from deep and gave the Thunder 12 points off the bench. He followed up with another playoff career-high in scoring.
Some Sixers fans were able to shake off the trade a bit by assuming that McCain wouldn’t be a difference-maker in the playoffs as a second-year player. But the former Duke product is making a difference for the defending champion’s bench.
To Compare Is Not To Knock
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 09: Jared McCain #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the first half against the Detroit Pistons at Xfinity Mobile Arena on November 09, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The statistical comparison isn’t there to knock Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, who are clearly more valuable to the Sixers than McCain would’ve been. The two 76ers are having a stellar playoff run.
But the Sixers continue to see why the McCain trade was a bad move. Joel Embiid called for a deadline upgrade for the 2025-2026 season. Instead, the Sixers’ front office cut ties with McCain for draft picks—a puzzling move for a team that wants to win now.
Since then, the Sixers have struggled with backcourt depth, leading Maxey to play heavy minutes frequently. They’ve also struggled in the three-point shooting department. Both are areas where McCain could’ve been helpful. Instead, he’s boosting the champ’s bench, while the Sixers’ “sold-high” mentality continues to look like a flop.