After shaking off a slow first half, Jared McCain showed out in his first career playoff start, helping the Oklahoma City Thunder to a pivotal 127-114 Game 5 Western Conference finals home win on Tuesday.
McCain’s continued emergence as an offensive X-factor for the defending champions had the NBA world singing his praises and further questioning the Philadelphia 76ers’ decision to give up on the promising sophomore.
Jared McCain’s 20-Point Game 5 vs. Spurs Fuels 76ers Ridicule
McCain appeared to be in for a rough night early in Game 5, entering halftime with just 2 points on 1-for-5 shooting (20%). However, the 22-year-old caught fire in the second half, scoring 18 of his 20 points in electric fashion.
Early in the third quarter, McCain drove against De’Aaron Fox and banked in an off-balance one-armed shot while being held down by the Spurs star. From there, he started cooking in the midrange and from deep, hitting a series of tough jumpers to help extend OKC’s lead to 20 points.
In the fourth quarter, McCain hit a pair of back-breaking 3-pointers to stave off San Antonio. The combo guard finished third on the Thunder in scoring, supplementing superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s game-high 32-point performance as his squad took a 3-2 series lead.
Jared McCain starred in his first start with the Thunder!
20 PTS (18 in 2H)
3 REB
3 3PMThunder win Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead in the West Finals 🍿 pic.twitter.com/TWTThyd4xC
— NBA (@NBA) May 27, 2026
This marks the second time in the series that McCain has reached the 20-point mark as the 2024 No. 16 pick continues to look like a steal for OKC. The franchise acquired him from Philadelphia at this year’s trade deadline in exchange for the Houston Rockets’ 2026 first-round pick (No. 22) and three future second-round picks.
While McCain showed flashes of star potential to begin his career, his rookie campaign was cut short after he suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee. Upon working his way back this season, the fan favorite guard received a reduced role and was plagued by inconsistency as he regained his rhythm.
However, Thunder general manager Sam Presti saw a golden opportunity to buy low on a sparkplug scorer that could put his team over the top in its repeat bid. While former 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey claimed that he sold high on McCain, the latter’s postseason impact suggests otherwise, with the NBA community on X not missing any opportunity to remind Philadelphia of what it lost.
“Jared McCain has deada** swung two conference finals games for OKC. Daryl Morey will pay for his crimes,” NBA podcaster Joel Moran reacted.
Jared McCain has deadass swung two conference finals games for OKC
Daryl Morey will pay for his crimes
— Joel Moran (@joelvmoran) May 27, 2026
“Jared McCain, who the Sixers could not foresee finding minutes for, just started Game 5 of the Western Conference finals and scored 20 points in a 13-point win, including a backbreaking 4th-quarter 3,” 76ers podcaster Spike Eskin remarked.
Jared McCain who the Sixers could not foresee finding minutes for just started Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals and scored 20 points in a 13 point win including a backbreaking 4th quarter three.
— Spike Eskin (@SpikeEskin) May 27, 2026
“There’s not much left to say about the Jared McCain thing. Just a horrendous trade. And we get reminded of it almost every game,” 76ers YouTuber Philly Take with RB lamented.
There’s not much left to say about the Jared McCain thing.
Just a horrendous trade.
And we get reminded of it almost every game.
— RB (@RBPhillyTake) May 27, 2026
“Not saying McCain is Steph [Curry], but he has the same unwavering confidence and energy on offense. Also is a savant moving off the ball and relocating. Again, not saying he is Steph’s level there. But it’s crazy he’s one of the only small guards I see trying to play somewhat similar,” NBA agent Nate Jones observed.
Not saying McCain is Steph, but he has the same unwavering confidence and energy on offense. Also is a savant moving off the ball and relocating. Again, not saying he is Steph’s level there. But it’s crazy he’s one of the only small guards I see trying to play somewhat similar
— Nate Jones (@JonesOnTheNBA) May 27, 2026
Meanwhile, Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor noted that McCain “significantly outplayed” Fox, who finished with just 9 points on 4-for-15 shooting (26.7%).
Bad sign for the Spurs when De’Aaron Fox is getting significantly outplayed by Jared McCain
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) May 27, 2026
Through five West finals appearances, McCain is averaging 13.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.8 3-pointers per game, albeit on 35.7% shooting overall, in what has been a rollercoaster of a series.
