Jared McCain’s 24‑Point Showcase Draws Tyrese Maxey Praise, Months After Daryl Morey Traded Him Away

Tyrese Maxey was proud after Jared McCain's incredible performance in Game 3 against the Spurs.

Jared McCain’s 24‑Point Showcase Draws Tyrese Maxey Praise, Months After Daryl Morey Traded Him Away

Tyrese Maxey on Jared McCain (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Jared McCain scored a playoff career-high 24 points in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.
  • Tyrese Maxey praised McCain on social media after his standout performance.
  • McCain has outperformed recent 76ers lottery picks in the Conference Finals.

Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain shared a close bond during their time on the Philadelphia 76ers. McCain was drafted by the 76ers as the 16th pick in the 2024 NBA draft. However, he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline this year.

The 22-year-old was the game-changer in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. McCain came off the bench and scored a playoff career-high 24 points in under 27 minutes of playing time.

The young guard helped the Thunder bench outscore the Spurs bench by 76-25. After a slow start to Game 3, the Thunder secured a convincing 123-108 victory over the Spurs at the Frost Bank Center on Friday night.

After the game, Maxey took to social media to praise his former teammate in just one word. He wrote:

JMAC.

Tyrese Maxey on X

Jared McCain impressed everyone at the beginning of his rookie season. He made 23 appearances before he suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee. The injury cut short his rookie year as he was sidelined for the remainder of the season.

After making his return in the following season, he made 37 appearances for the 76ers before getting traded to the Thunder. It has worked out well for McCain as he finds himself in the Western Conference Finals, while Tyrese Maxey and the 76ers were clean-swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

McCain is having a good series off the bench against the Spurs. He is averaging 14.3 points in under 24 minutes in the three games played so far.

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Fans react to Tyrese Maxey’s post praising Jared McCain after Game 3

Jared McCain helped the Thunder break the record for most total points off the bench in franchise history. His role has grown steadily during the playoffs, and it shows why.

Following Tyrese Maxey’s post, fans were quick to react to the post on X.

Fans slammed former 76ers GM, Daryl Morey for trading the young star. However, Morey has been sacked after the 76ers’ disappointing end to their 2025-26 campaign.

Jared McCain on Daryl Morey trading him at the trade deadline

The 76ers and their fans will not be very pleased with what they are seeing from their former player. To rub salt on their wounds, Jared McCain has now scored more points in the Conference Finals than any of the last six 76ers lottery picks combined.

Jared McCain
Jared McCain (Image credits – Underdog/X)

Following the win, McCain was asked about Morey trading him from the 76ers.

It’s never to prove anybody wrong. I try to keep a positive outlook. I like proving my support system right. Daryl’s still the guy that drafted me, so I’ll always have love for him for that. He believed in me enough to take me at No. 16.

Jared McCain in his post-match press conference

McCain has no hard feelings towards his former GM and is just focused on doing the best he can for the Thunder. The Thunder lead 2-1 in the series and are now just two wins away from another NBA Final.

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