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More devastating news continues to fly the Philadelphia 76ers way, this time with rookie guard Jared McCain. He suffered a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee and will be out indefinitely, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. After McCain overtook the Rookie of the Year odds, his season could likely come to a close.
In 23 games, he averaged 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. On a team with Paul George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey, he was one of the most consistent pieces. Even in the 76ers' rocky start to the season, McCain was their X-factor and helped them stay in games.
The No. 16 pick from Duke basketball was known for his viral TikTok following. However, he's even more impressive on the court. To be a top option on a team with three all-stars is beyond impressive. He had 10 consecutive games, scoring 15+ points. For rookies, that's impressive. McCain even entered Victor Wembanyama territory for the 76ers by scoring 20+ in consecutive games. Considering he was a one-and-done and stepped up to the role, the 76ers found a gem.
Jared McCain's injury is an amalgamation of the 76ers' current season
McCain's injury is the tip of the iceberg for the 76ers season. After signing George in free agency and the emergence of Maxey, they were poised to be a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference. However, the beginning of the season didn't get off to a great start. Both George and Embiid were dealt with nagging injuries. As a result, McCain was thrown into the fire alongside Maxey.
The duo salvaged a rough start to the season. Even though fans were upset at the underwhelming result, they loved McCain's emergence. He is a savvy scorer who scores in unconventional ways. McCain emphasizes floaters, utilizing the pick-and-roll and mid-range shots. His effectiveness in these areas unlocked a new dimension of the guard play.
Luckily, McCain's skill blossomed at the right time. Unfortunately, his injury defines a tumultuous season for the 76ers. A locker room incident between Embiid and a reporter wasn't ideal. Furthermore, Maxey's callout of Embiid highlighted a disastrous opening month to the season.
The 7-16 squad will need to lean on their trio even more to salvage a forgettable season. With McCain out of the picture, more of the offensive burden will fall on Maxey, George, and Embiid. While the rookie might be on the sidelines, he's won over the 76ers fanbase.
Although he's out indefinitely, he could return. After all, Embiid returned after a torn meniscus and helped Philadelphia make the playoffs. Regardless, they will miss McCain's scoring and efficiency and can only hope for a return this season.
