The Philadelphia 76ers have officially ruled rookie standout Jared McCain out for the remainder of the season after he underwent surgery last month for a torn meniscus in his left knee.
At just 20 years old, McCain showcased his talent during a single season at Duke University, which led the 76ers to select him as their first-round draft pick in 2024. He made an impressive impact in his debut season, averaging 15.3 points over 23 games, including eight starts, quickly becoming a favorite among fans, partly due to his popularity as a TikTok star with nearly 5 million followers.
His promising start earned him the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award for November, but he began experiencing knee pain following a game against the Indiana Pacers on December 13.
The 76ers have faced significant challenges this season, with injuries affecting key players like Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George, who were expected to form a powerful trio after George joined the team in the offseason. Unfortunately, they have only managed to play together in parts of three games, contributing to the team’s disappointing 15-20 record.
As the team prepares for their upcoming game against the New Orleans Pelicans, they will be without Embiid (left foot sprain), Andre Drummond (left toe sprain), Kyle Lowry (right hip strain), and KJ Martin (left foot). Paul George is listed as probable due to groin tightness, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the team’s performance.
