Sixers feel Jared McCain’s pain after rookie is ruled out for season with knee injury

Nick Nurse had a feeling Jared McCain’s left knee surgery would sideline the 76ers guard for the remainder of the season.

So the coach would check in with the rookie more often and ask how he was doing when they crossed paths around the practice facility. Nurse also spoke to McCain about things he could do while recovering from a torn meniscus. Then came Thursday’s announcement that McCain would miss the remainder of the season.

“He’s really disappointed,” Nurse said before Friday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Wells Fargo Center. “You guys understand that, right? I mean really, really, really disappointed.”

» READ MORE: Guerschon Yabusele’s energy and effort have made him a perfect fit for the Sixers

The Sixers fully understand his sadness. McCain was having a Rookie of the Year-caliber season before he reported left knee soreness on Dec. 13 after a 121-107 loss to the Indiana Pacers. An MRI on Dec. 14 revealed the meniscus tear, and McCain had surgery to repair the injury on Dec. 17.

“We felt really sad when we heard the news, especially me because I heard the news not a long time ago,” Guerschon Yabusele said after Friday’s shootaround. “So I was really surprised and sad because he was having a great season so far. He was a big key for us.”

McCain averaged 15.3 points, made 2.2 three-pointers per game, and shot 38.3% on three-pointers in 23 games. The 20-year-old joined NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson as the only other Sixers rookie to average at least 15 points and two made three-pointers.

He was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for October and November.

“But you know I will tell him to keep working, and he’s going to come back even stronger,” Yabusele said. “He’s got all the talent in the world to be in this league and dominate the league. He [knew] it already.

“So just keep working, stay patient. Wishing him to come back as soon as possible.”

Losing McCain was the latest blow in what has been a nightmare season. The Sixers had championship aspirations after acquiring Paul George in July to form a Big Three with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. However, the team has lacked continuity largely because George, Embiid, and Maxey have played in just 10 games together because of injuries and load management.

But McCain’s standout play was one of the few bright spots for a team that was 15-20 and in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings entering Friday. In addition to scoring, the former Duke standout proved to be a capable point guard and a solid fit alongside Maxey, George, and Embiid.

» READ MORE: Mike Longabardi, a longtime NBA assistant, faces head-coaching challenge with Delaware Blue Coats

McCain was recognized for playing hard all the time. The Sixers have also missed his energy and been forced to dig deeper in the bench at guard.

“If you are asking me if other guys picked [that] up? No,” Nurse said. “I think we will miss it a little bit. We got some guys that are playing really hard, and all that stuff. We still miss that little spark. I think that he is kind of special with what he gives you.”

The Sixers are confident that McCain will build off that stellar play once he returns next season. Maxey believes the success he had this season will serve as a “good highlight” to look back on for motivation.

“We didn’t have a lot of team success, but he was really, really good,” Maxey said. “He was the reason why we stayed in a lot of games and why we won some of the games, as well. So I think he should look at that, and he’s a high confidence person. That’s really going to be good for him, too, so I think he’ll be fine.”

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson was suspended for Friday’s game after showing up late for the team’s Thursday flight to Philadelphia. The power forward will return to the team on Saturday.

“There were several occasions that led up to this,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said of Williamson being late for multiple practices this season. “That’s how we got up to this decision.”