Jared McCain was rusty but relieved to be playing again

You have to see his smile at the end of the match to understand how pleased he was to play again. After facing physical problems, Jared McCain returned last night with the Sixers, on the Bulls floor.

« It was an amazing feeling. I was just happy to be on the field, grateful to be able to wear the jersey. I wanted to make sure my bathing suit was on properly, my shorts were on and tucked in properly », smiles the Sixers guardwho said he was physically fine.

A total contrast with his sentiment shown two weeks ago, when « the universe » was against him. The young guard tore the meniscus in his left knee in mid-December 2023 and missed the rest of the season. He fully recovered and participated in all team activities during training camp. Before this time he got hit in the thumb, which again delayed his return.

« I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since I played basketball », the 16th pick of the 2024 draft formulated today, ensuring that he has almost forgotten his pre-match routine. And obviously, his habit of “scoring” is a little bit, because in 15 minutes of the game against the Bulls, he missed all his shot attempts, mostly short ones, to finish 0/4, without a goal.

Joel Embiid’s advice

« Nice to see him in the game. It helped us in terms of rotation in the first half. It was obviously rusty », Nick Nurse tranche who still enjoyed his travels. ” It’s only the first game. He still has a long way to go. After so many injuries, I know what it’s like. I talk to him and try to help him in the process. It’s not simple. I have experienced this so many times in my career “, says Joel Embiid.

As a regular at the infirmary, the Sixers center advises his teammate to “ stay positive. This was one of the main discussions we had when he came back from his knee (…), I could see his excitement and the way he played, and the frustration, even in practice, of missing shots. I try to tell him that he will come. You have to be patient. Keep thinking good things and stay positive. »

Jared McCain blames himself, for example, for missing a long-range layup by Joel Embiid in the second quarter. The entire Sixers bench stood up, ready to celebrate. His attempt stood out. ” I know my shots will go through. I don’t worry too much about it “, points out the 21-year-old player, who does not know if he will participate in the next match, the following evening in Cleveland.

He’s getting back into the swing of things as the Sixers’ configuration has changed. Now Tyrese McKay is in charge with rookie VJ Edgecombe in the backfield. “He has to shoot when he’s open. We want him to stay with himself. We know what he’s capable of and what he can do. That’s why we want him to shoot. » demands Tyrese Maxey as everyone waits to see how this reintegration works out over time.

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.