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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 26: Jared McCain #3 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate during the fourth quarter of a game against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 26, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Jared McCain of the Oklahoma City Thunder got the first playoff start of his NBA career in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, and did not disappoint.

The second-year guard scored 20 points, 18 of which came in the first half, to help the Thunder to a 13-point win to take a 3-2 series lead over the Spurs.

With the injuries to Ajay Mitchell and Jalen Williams, McCain was a surprise addition to the starting lineup, but finishing Game 5 third in scoring for Oklahoma City, tying Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 19 shot attempts. It looks as though the defending champions made the right move in starting the young guard, and that was clear in some of the postgame reactions to his performance.

Jared McCain’s Game 5 Performance Turns Heads From Thunder Players

While he shot just 7-for-19 from the field, McCain’s 20 points played a big part in the Thunder’s Game 5 win over the Spurs, taking the series lead. Following the game, both Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein shared their thoughts on the 22-year-old’s performance.

“I think it’s very impressive,” Holmgren said of McCain. “He’s someone who works extremely hard and trusts his work…He understands what his job is when he’s out there.”

“I think he’s a special human being. I think just in general, no one will change the way he is,” Hartenstein told the media postgame. “I’ve never seen someone so happy every single day. I think it gives something to the locker room…It doesn’t matter who he’s playing against; he’s supremely confident in himself, and I think that gives us more confidence too.”

After his 20-point scoring outburst, McCain reaffirmed that he was grateful for the opportunity, closing out with saying ‘Shoutout life,’ in a clip shared by the NBA on X.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault also had strong words to say about McCain and his performance in Game 5, which helped OKC tip the series against the Spurs in their favor.

“He was really good. His pop early was excellent, and he kept himself in the game. He had that flurry in the third. Then, a flurry again in the fourth,” Daigneault said after the win. “Great mental toughness. I never take it for granted when somebody steps into a role like in a game like this. But, certainly not surprised.”

While McCain’s 20 points in Game 5 were huge for the Thunder, it wasn’t his highest-scoring game against the Spurs in this series.  Though he had a few subpar performances, the second-year player had 24 points in Game 3, which is just another reason to credit the Thunder for their move to trade for him at the deadline.

Media Reactions To McCain’s 20 Points in Game 5

It wasn’t just the Thunder who praised McCain for his outing in Game 5 on Tuesday night, as the NBA media made sure to give him his flowers after a standout performance.

Speaking on the Run It Back show, former NBA player Lou Williams had strong words for McCain, who started and saw an increased role due to injuries to Mitchell and Williams.

“No Ajay Mitchell last night or Jalen Williams, no problem,” Williams said. “I don’t think Jared McCain has found a shot he doesn’t like…To be able to have the game he had, it’s amazing.”

McCain was traded to the Thunder at the deadline from the Philadelphia 76ers. He had a shaky injury history to start his career, and according to Sixers’ general manager Daryl Morey, the team was selling high on the second year guard. However, in his so far brief stint with the Thunder, McCain has reached new heights, making the move look a lot less beneficial for Philadelphia, who got back a first-round pick and three second-rounders.

“This Jared McCain trade really never made sense (for the Sixers)…I just can’t help but think how good he’d have been for the future with Maxey & Edgecombe,” Chandler Parsons said on Run It Back speaking about the 76ers moving McCain at the trade deadline. “He got traded midway through the season and he’s already one of (the Thunder’s) best players.”

McCain hasn’t been the most consistent player for the Thunder in his few months so far with the team, but he’s stepped up in big moments, particularly seen in Game 5 against the Spurs. His status in the starting lineup could change if Oklahoma City get Mitchell or Williams back from injury, but if he is asked to play a similar role in the rest of the series, it appears to be a task the 22-year-old can live up to just in his second NBA season.

The Thunder have a 3-2 series lead, and can advance to the NBA Finals with a win in San Antonio in Game 6, which comes at 7:30 pm CST on Thursday, May 28, live on NBC and Peacock.