Jared McCain’s Thumb Injury: Another Setback For Philly’s Rising Star

Here’s what makes this particularly brutal: McCain was just getting back on his feet after a meniscus tear ended his rookie campaign early. The 16th pick in the 2024 draft had shown flashes of brilliance, averaging 15.3 points and shooting a respectable 38.3% from three-point range before his knee decided to tap out after just 23 games.

Now, with the Sixers heading overseas for preseason games, McCain is stuck consulting with specialists to figure out his next move. A UCL tear typically sidelines players for four to six weeks, which means he’ll likely miss the season opener against Boston on October 22. Because, of course, the basketball gods would schedule the Celtics first – as if Philly fans needed more reasons to be pessimistic.

What This Means For the Sixers

The timing couldn’t be worse for a franchise that’s desperately trying to build something meaningful around its core. McCain had shown he could be a legitimate scoring threat alongside Tyrese Maxey, bringing that sweet three-point shooting every modern team craves. His 15.3 points per game as a rookie weren’t just empty calories either – this kid looked like he belonged.

With McCain potentially sidelined and Paul George also dealing with knee issues from his summer arthroscopic procedure, the pressure now falls squarely on No. 3 pick V.J. Edgecombe to step up immediately. That is a great deal to ask from a rookie, even one selected that high in the draft.

The Bigger Picture

Look, injuries are part of the game – we all know that. But when you’re the 76ers, it feels like the universe has a personal vendetta against your roster construction. This organization has been through more medical setbacks than a teaching hospital, and watching McCain deal with another injury after showing such promise is genuinely heartbreaking.

The silver lining? This UCL tear isn’t as severe as the meniscus issue that required surgery last season. It’s still a significant setback, but at least we’re not talking about months on the sidelines or career-altering procedures.

Looking Ahead

McCain will work with specialists to determine the best course of action, and Sixers fans will hold their collective breath, hoping this doesn’t derail what looked like a promising sophomore season. The kid showed he could score at the NBA level as a rookie, and that three-point shooting ability isn’t going anywhere just because of a thumb injury.

But man, you’ve got to feel for the guy. Just when he was ready to build on those encouraging rookie flashes, here comes another injury curveball. That’s basketball for you – cruel, unpredictable, and absolutely unforgiving. The Sixers will need McCain healthy if they want to make any noise this season, and right now, that’s looking like a big “if” rather than a “when.”