As Tyrese Maxey nears his return from a hamstring injury, the spotlight shifts to the rising star, Jared McCain, and what his future role with the Philadelphia 76ers might look like once the team is back at full strength.
Maxey, who has missed the last four games due to a strained right hamstring, will sit out again when the Sixers face the Orlando Magic on Friday. However, the team confirmed that the 24-year-old All-Star has resumed on-court activities and is set for reevaluation early next week. Maxey suffered the injury during the Sixers’ loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on November 6, and has not played since. With a 2-9 record (including a loss in the NBA Cup), the team has struggled without their new Big 3—featuring Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George. Embiid was sidelined for the first nine games due to injury management and a suspension, while George missed five games with a knee bruise. The trio has yet to play a game together.
Looking ahead, the Sixers will face the Magic, Heat, Grizzlies, and Brooklyn Nets over the next week, offering an opportunity for Maxey’s return. If he’s back and healthy, along with Embiid and George, the team hopes to finally turn their season around. While the attention will naturally be on how the stars mesh, McCain’s emergence in Maxey’s absence has become one of the more intriguing stories.
The No. 16 pick in the 2024 draft, McCain has seized his opportunity. Last Sunday, he scored 27 points, including 23 in the second half and overtime, leading the Sixers to a 107-105 win over the Charlotte Hornets. He followed that up with 23 points against the New York Knicks and then exploded for 34 points and 10 assists against the Cleveland Cavaliers. In those three games, he shot 42% from three-point range (13-for-31).
McCain’s strong performances have been a pleasant surprise. He was not part of the rotation at the season’s start, but now he’s drawing attention as a potential Rookie of the Year candidate. To stay in that conversation, McCain will need to continue contributing heavily even when Maxey returns and the team is at full strength. This could be a challenge, as McCain’s style of play bears similarities to Maxey’s.
That said, McCain’s versatility means he should still have a meaningful role, regardless of who’s in the lineup. His off-the-ball movement and three-point shooting make him a key offensive threat, as evidenced by his impressive 48.4% shooting on catch-and-shoot threes this season. The question now is how he fits with Maxey on the court. Could coach Nick Nurse consider starting both small guards together, similar to the Lowry-VanVleet combination in Toronto? Or would McCain thrive more as a high-energy sixth man?
As the Sixers get closer to full strength, McCain’s rise could prove to be a critical development in their season, adding a new layer of depth and potential.
