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Jared McCain gets first taste of the NBA playoffs with the OKC Thunder.
Jared McCain will get his first taste of NBA playoff basketball as the OKC Thunder topped the Western Conference with a 64-18 record.
McCain, who has yet to play in the postseason during his first one season with the Philadelphia 76ers, expressed his excitement after the Thunder wrapped up their regular season on Sunday with a 135-103 loss over the Phoenix Suns.
“I’ve talked about it a lot. I’m super excited,” McCain, who had nine points against the Suns, said. “First off, I’m just proud of myself for finishing the season…I was just telling (my teammates) that it’s crazy that I’m going to be here. But, I was just grateful.”
“I’m super excited for playoff basketball. I’ve watched it all my life, and it’s going to be super fun just to be part of it,” he added.
Jared McCain can’t wait for playoff hoops.
I asked JMac about his excitement for postseason basketball and how his teammates are preparing him.
“I’m super excited for playoff basketball. I’ve watched it all my life, and it’s gonna be super fun just to be a part of.”
McCain has played 29 games for the Thunder since being traded by the 76ers before the trade deadline in February.
With OKC, McCain has become a valuable bench cog, averaging 10.5 points on 40.35% shooting from three.
McCain is expected to remain in the Thunder’s deep rotation in the playoffs as the squad awaits the No. 8 seed from the play-in tournament.
It is the third straight year that the Thunder finished the regular season with the top seed in the West. They won last year’s championship.
If OKC wins it all again this year, the team will be the first to snag back-to-back NBA titles since the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018.
GettyOKC Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault is pleased with Jared McCain’s integration.
Jared McCain has impressed since arriving in OKC last February. One of those who is pleased to see his addition is Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, who lauded the second-year guard for fitting well with the team’s culture.
“He’s definitely integrated well. He’s learning his teammates. He’s learning our system and the fundamentals that we emphasize,” Daigneault said last March 20.
“Obviously, he’s a very potent offensive player, but he gives up some size and needs to be really fundamental and feisty, and he’s done that, especially lately. So we’re pleased with the progress he’s made there and he continues to be a fan favorite in the locker room just with the way that he’s approached things since he’s been traded here,” he added.
McCain has been a focal point in some of the Thunder’s offensive executions over the past two months. Notably, he has connected well in the offensive end with Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, especially in hand-off plays.
With the team’s depth, McCain is seen to give the Thunder’s backcourt an offensive reprieve behind the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, and Ajay Mitchell.
GettyThe OKC Thunder will get a week-long rest before the playoffs.
The Thunder will get seven days of rest before playing their first playoff game since winning the NBA championship last year.
The team will have to wait for the winner of the second play-in game scheduled on Friday, April 17. Game 1 of the first round will then be on Sunday, April 19.
The Thunder will play one of the Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers or the Phoenix Suns.
The Thunder will have home-court advantage in all their playoff series.
Rob Andrew Lo Rob Andrew Lo is a writer at Heavy Sports and is covering the NBA. He has covered local, collegiate, professional and international sports in various sites. He was the sports editor of The Varsitarian, the official student publication of University of Santo Tomas, and a sports, entertainment, and lifestyle writer for Rappler. A Journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, he has built his voice across both collegiate and international platforms, previously contributing NBA coverage to Fansided and Sportskeeda. More about Rob Andrew Lo
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