Jared McCain Continues Historic Pace as 76ers Falter

Philadelphia’s rookie has been a shining light in a dark season so far.

Nov 15, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain (20) celebrates after a three pointer against the Orlando Magic in the third quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Through just a few games, 76ers rookie Jared McCain has been a silver lining for struggling Philadelphia.

In his last five games — two of which were starts — McCain has laid on 26.2 points per game on a white-hot 48% shooting. He’s added an impressive four assists per game to just 1.6 turnovers, and is shooting a gaudy 44% from beyond the arc on 10 attempts. On Friday night, McCain added another 29 points and four assists with 50% 3-point shooting.

In his last four, McCain has done over 28 points, 4.5 assists and shot 50-44-100. The only other rookies to do that since 1980 are Larry Bird and Trae Young.

Jared McCain’s last 4 games:

28.3 PPG
4.5 APG
50.6 FG%
43.9 3PT%
100 FT%

The only other rookies since 1980 to average 28 and 4 w/ 50-40-90 over 4 games (per Stathead): Larry Bird and Trae Young.

And McCain’s AST-TO ratio of 3.0 towers above theirs (1.69 and 2.17 respectively) pic.twitter.com/t4EfsFMNs2

— Sam DiGiovanni (@BySamDiGiovanni) November 16, 2024

Suffice it to say, McCain is amidst one of the more impressive rookie stretches we’ve seen in some time.

Drafted at No. 16, the former Duke Blue Devil was only slated to add shooting and some savvy ball-handling this year. But he’s essentially functioned as one of the team’s go-to scorers in the past few weeks.

The 76ers currently stand at 2-10, good for No. 14 in the Eastern Conference and far from where expectations were entering the season. But in the least, McCain offers some solace in the rough season.

Philadelphia is back in action against the Miami Heat on Monday, Nov. 18, and will look to right the ship with its start trio of Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, along with McCain’s newfound skills.

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