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Jared McCain ‘proud’ take ahead of Thunder playoff debut

Originally posted on NBA on ClutchPoints
By Josue Pavon, ClutchPoints | Last updated Apr 13, 2026 7:56 PM ET

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain is eager to make his playoff debut. After the defending champion Thunder clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, McCain and the Thunder closed out the regular season with a 135-103 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

McCain, who was traded by the Philadelphia 76ers amidst his second NBA season, can’t wait for his first postseason.

“I’m super excited. First off, I’m proud of myself for finishing the season. Almost. I guess the thumb injury was in the beginning. But after that, just finishing it out, and I was just telling them how it’s crazy. I never thought I’d be here. But I’m just grateful to be here. Super excited for playoff basketball. I’ve watched it all my life, and it’s going to be super fun to be a part of.”

Jared McCain can’t wait for his first taste of playoff basketball with the Thunder: “I’m just grateful to be here. Super excited for playoff basketball.

I’ve watched it all my life and it’s going to be super fun to be a part of” pic.twitter.com/FRBlsSiiMz

— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) April 13, 2026

Jared McCain finished with nine points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal in the Thunder’s regular-season finale. He finished 2025-26, averaging 8.3 points on 42.5/38.5/86.4 percent shooting splits in his 30 games with the Thunder.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s take on Thunder 2025-26 season

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Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered his honest take on the 2025-26 season, which included hurdles and challenges for the team and himself. Still, sitting atop the Western Conference standings for the third year in a row, Gilgeous-Alexander says the accomplishment of clinching the No. 1 seed feels that much sweeter after a challenging regular season.

“It feels better for sure. Not only because we got to weather a little bit more. But just repeating something and doing it again is always was a little bit harder. It’s a little more challenging,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “The league gets better. Players get better. For us to still have the best overall record through that, and ups and downs, speaks volumes to the team. Speaks volumes to the guys in the summertime—getting better individually.

“The coaching staff is getting better individually. We always say at the beginning of the season: no matter what happens, we have to earn what we get in the playoffs and in our seeding. And we earned the first overall seed.”

The Thunder finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 64-18 record.

This article first appeared on NBA on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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