Jared McCain turned 22 on Friday and dropped 21 points in 23 minutes for the Oklahoma City Thunder

Jared McCain turned 22 on Friday and celebrated by dropping 21 points in 23 minutes for the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 105-86 win over the Nets.

Seven of twelve from the field, three of six from three, four rebounds, a steal. Oh, and OKC was without both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.

Jared McCain just went out there and handled business anyway.

Jared McCain tonight:

21 Points
7/12 FG
3/6 3PT

Led the team in scoring

Best game in OKC yet pic.twitter.com/b6kipvV6q1

— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) February 21, 2026

The Philadelphia 76ers traded him on February 4th for a 2026 first-round pick and three second rounders. Daryl Morey called it selling high. Sure.

We’re not going to make a habit of tracking every good game from a former Sixer, but Jared McCain is still fresh and this one still stings because the math is pretty simple. The Sixers can’t win without Embiid.

Sixers fans are upset with Tyrese Maxey’s comments on life without Joel Embiid

The bench has been one of the worst units in the league all season. And the one young, cheap, actually exciting player on the roster got shipped out for picks that may or may not ever amount to anything.

Jared McCain posted a 21-point birthday performance without two of the best players in the league on the floor and looked completely comfortable doing it.

That’s the guy they moved.

Jared McCain having the time of his life

Jared McCain off the bench in win over Nets:

21 PTS (season-high)
7-12 FG
4 REB

His highest-scoring game since 12/4/24.pic.twitter.com/9tX5qk1F2z

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) February 21, 2026

The part that makes it genuinely maddening is that this Sixers team has real potential when they’re healthy and when everyone is actually available.

That’s a big when, but it’s real. So it’s not like they’re blowing up a hopeless situation. They moved a 22 year old with star upside off a roster that could actually compete, and for what? To let Morey run another one of his grand roster experiments while Joshua Harris counts his money and the fanbase keeps waiting.

Jared McCain said postgame that he feels comfortable and grateful. Good for him. He landed in the right spot. The Sixers made sure of it.

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