On the eve of media day, the Philadelphia 76ers suffered yet another blow. ESPN NBA reporter Tim Bontemps broke the news Thursday on NBA Today that second-year guard Jared McCain tore the UCL in his right thumb during a workout at the team’s practice facility.
The injury affects his shooting hand and is expected to sideline him into the start of the 2025–26 season.
“You almost can’t make it up, frankly,” Bontemps said. “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.”
The timing couldn’t be worse. McCain hasn’t played in a game since December, when a meniscus tear in his left knee prematurely ended what was shaping up to be a Rookie of the Year campaign.
Through 23 games, he averaged 15.3 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.4 rebounds, quickly establishing himself as a fan favorite in Philly.
A Familiar Story for the Jared McCain, Sixers
GettyThe Philadelphia 76ers are already off to a rough start after not having a single player play more than 60 games last season.
Injuries have become a recurring theme for Philadelphia. “It’s truly groundhog day in Philadelphia,” Bontemps added.
“Jared McCain had a great first two months last year, then the meniscus tear. Now they’re without him again to start the year. You add in the Joel Embiid situation, the Paul George situation, Quinton Grimes still unsigned—it’s remarkable we’re doing this the day before media day.”
According to NBA Insider Brian Windhorst, injuries like McCain’s typically require four to six weeks of recovery. That timeline places his status for opening night against Boston in serious doubt.
“The strength of this team is their guard depth,” Windhorst explained.
“But because of the uncertainty of Joel Embiid and Paul George, you’re going to need that guard depth. And now that takes a hit. It also could mean more playing time early for rookie VJ Edgecombe, but you don’t expect rookies to come in and instantly make a gigantic impact.”
Roster Decisions Looming
GettySixers now enter the season with with McCain down and Quentin Grimes still unsigned, taking a huge blow to the Sixers’ backcourt depth.
McCain’s setback puts additional pressure on the Sixers’ front office. Free-agent guard Quinton Grimes has yet to sign, with his qualifying offer expiring October 1.
As Bobby Marks pointed out on NBA Today, this may give Grimes new leverage as Philadelphia looks to stabilize its backcourt rotation.
“This was their strength and now all of a sudden they lose Jared McCain for an extended period of time,” Marks said. “Is there now a sense of urgency with Philadelphia?”
If McCain misses extended time, head coach Nick Nurse could turn to veteran Kyle Lowry for heavier early-season minutes, while also accelerating Edgecombe’s development.
But there’s no question this is another frustrating setback for a young guard once expected to be a cornerstone of the franchise.
For McCain, the focus now turns to recovery and finding rhythm after back-to-back seasons disrupted by injury. For the Sixers, it’s another test of patience and roster depth in what was already shaping up as a turbulent preseason.
As Bontemps summed it up: “It’s just so unfortunate for the 76ers.”
Sixers’ Jared McCain Suffers Torn UCL Ahead of Training Camp