Jared McCain opens up on Philly return after Thunder beat Sixers
Jared McCain opens up on his return to Philadelphia after the Oklahoma City Thunder knock off the 76ers on Monday.
PHILADELPHIA -- When Jared McCain checked into the game on Monday night as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, he received a lot of love and a standing ovation from the Xfinity Mobile Arena crowd. He is no longer a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, but the fans sure made him feel like he still is. McCain, traded to the Thunder at the deadline after 1.
5 seasons in Philadelphia, scored 13 points and knocked down three triples as OKC defeated the Sixers 123-103 . It was an emotional night for the No. 16 pick of the 2024 draft and things got heightened when he immediately knocked down two triples in his opening minutes which gave the crowd a thrill.
"It was really awesome," McCain smiled after the win. "Even just waking up this morning, there's a lot of anxiety, kind of just about the game, nerves, excitement. So I knew I just had to control what I can control out there.
Make a hustle play, and just whenever I get out there, the emotions kind of go away, but it definitely was tough going out there—especially against all my old teammates. " Never one to hide his emotions, McCain knocked down a triple over the outstretched arm of Andre Drummond while falling away in the corner. Seeing a couple of 3s fall while also hearing the cheer of the crowd helped him settle down.