PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers are continuing to work through some early season injuries as they await the return of second-year guard Jared McCain. The No. 16 pick of the 2024 draft tore the UCL in his right thumb shortly before training camp began and had to undergo surgery on Oct. 1.
McCain was seen putting up shots after Monday’s morning shootaround session and without the cast on his hand. When considering that the Sixers could use some depth at the moment, it’s a good sign for them to see him out of the cast and continue to put up shots.
“I think that’s his second day of being out of his, I don’t know what it is, it’s a splint or a cast that’s now a smaller splint,” coach Nick Nurse said before Monday’s contest with the Orlando Magic. “It allows him to shoot so that’s two days out of that. So, that’s the progress. He’s gonna have to go through two days of contact and all that stuff, too. So, we’re making progress.”
While the Sixers haven’t given an official update on McCain in terms of any re-evaluations, Nurse said he was re-evaluated recently.
“I don’t know when. It was a couple days ago, I think, in the last two to three days,” Nurse explained. “Like, it was time for him to get evaluated or at least see how he’s coming along. That’s where we are.”
McCain is somebody who can shoot the heck out of the ball, bring a lot of energy, put the ball on the floor, and make things happen for everyone around him. He is expected to join Tyrese Maxey, Quentin Grimes, and VJ Edgecombe to form one of the better groups of guards in the league. The Sixers are awaiting his return. It’s good for the team to have him around with them as they move forward.
“He’s always around and he’s always working,” Nurse said. “I mean, listen, I think, for me, I said it maybe last week or whatever, but inserting him in with VJ, Tyrese, Q group, I think, is the plan. That was kinda the plan going into the season, right? They all can do a variety of things and it gives us a chance to have some more depth. It gives us a chance to play some shorter stints so the energy can stay high and all those things so we need him back. We look forward to having him back.”
