Daryl Morey Speaks Out on ‘Flunkey’ Jared McCain Injury as 2 Stars Poised to Benefit

The Philadelphia 76ers have been hit with another unfortunate injury just as they prepare for the new season. Second year guard Jared McCain, who was looking to return from a knee injury that ended his rookie campaign, has suffered a new setback. The timing is particularly bad, occurring just one day before the team’s media day was set to begin, throwing a wrench into their preseason plans.

The injury is a torn UCL in McCain’s right thumb, which is his shooting hand. This news comes after he showed great promise last year, averaging 15.3 points per game before his season was cut short in December. ESPN’s Tim Bontemps highlighted the unfortunate timing, stating, “You almost can’t make it up, frankly.” The team now faces starting another season with a key player on the sidelines.

Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey has publicly addressed the situation. According to a report, Morey described the nature of the injury, saying McCain’s thumb injury “couldn’t have been more flukey.” He also confirmed that the team is still working with doctors to determine a clear timeline for the guard’s return. This suggests the front office views it as an unlucky accident rather than a recurring issue.

The expected recovery time for a UCL tear is typically four to six weeks, which would likely cause McCain to miss the start of the regular season. This absence immediately creates opportunities for other players on the roster. Two players in particular, rookie VJ Edgecombe and restricted free agent Quentin Grimes, are now positioned to see increased roles and minutes while McCain works his way back to full health.

(This is a developing story)