McCain credits Morey after Thunder take Western Conference Finals lead
Oklahoma City establishes 2-1 series advantage as Jared McCain reflects on his journey from the Houston Rockets draft to the NBA playoffs.
The Oklahoma City Thunder secured a commanding position in the 2026 Western Conference Finals, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 123-108 in Game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead. The victory was anchored by a playoff-career-high 24 points from guard Jared McCain, who scored 16 of his points in the second half to help push the Thunder past the double-digit mark for good.
McCain’s performance came in the absence of key players Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, allowing him to fill a significant scoring vacuum. Shooting 10-of-21 from the field, including four rebounds and one assist, McCain demonstrated resilience against the defensive presence of Victor Wembanyama. He outscored the entire San Antonio Spurs bench unit 24-18, showcasing a poise that head coach Mark Daigneault has praised since McCain joined the squad midway through the season.
The Thunder’s bench contributed heavily to the win, recording 76 points in total with four reserves scoring in double figures. Jaylin Williams added 18 points, including five three-pointers, while McCain’s ability to score inside the perimeter compensated for his 2-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc. Daigneault highlighted McCain’s capacity to handle high-stakes moments, noting that the guard had not flinched despite joining a number one seed team during the playoff run.
Following the match, McCain publicly expressed gratitude to Daryl Morey, the former Houston Rockets executive who originally drafted him 16th overall. Despite being traded to Oklahoma City earlier in the 2025-26 season, McCain declined to frame his success as an attempt to prove Morey wrong. Instead, he emphasised his desire to validate the trust placed in him by his support system.
McCain, who previously played for the Philadelphia 76ers and Duke University, described his five-month journey from G League play to becoming a pivotal playoff contributor as a blessing. He stated that he aims to keep a positive outlook and prove right those who believed in him, specifically acknowledging Morey’s initial faith in his potential. The Thunder now hold the driver’s seat in the series as they look to close out the Finals.
