SAN ANTONIO — Jared McCain is an audacious basketball player.
No other way to explain why a guy who’s 6-foot-3 on a good day would have the gall to attack Victor Wembanyama. And then have the brashness to flex on all of France.
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No other way to explain why McCain, who played games for the Delaware Blue Coats this season, would think it appropriate to take 21 shots in a Western Conference Finals game. Four more shots than his MVP teammate, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Six more shots than Wembanyama.
None of this makes sense. That’s probably what the Spurs were thinking Friday night as they fell into a 1-2 hole in part because of the play of a Philly castoff whose grin is as vibrant as his fingernails. Has there ever been a more exuberant playoff assassin?
“I love this so much,” McCain said. “I love what my life is right now.”
And the Thunder’s loving life with McCain.
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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MAY 22: Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball against Devin Vassell #24 of the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center on May 22, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.
McCain and his band of benchmen left their prints all over the Thunder’s 123-108 Game 3 win against the Spurs.
McCain scored 24 points on 21 shots, a stat line his idol, Kobe Bryant, would’ve been proud of. McCain’s previous playoff high was 18 points against the Lakers in Game 2 of round 2.
“I don’t know if I expected it,” McCain said of his role, “but I’m definitely ready for it.”
The Thunder’s bench outscored the Spurs’ bench by 53 points — 76-23. Heck, the Thunder’s bench outscored the Thunder’s starters 76-47.
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“We play our brand of basketball no matter who’s out there,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
OKC had more bench points Friday night than the Spurs have had all series. The bench tally through three games: Thunder 183, Spurs 64. The Spurs could catch up by Game 7 if they shut the Thunder’s bench out in Games 4, 5 and 6.
You would think the depth advantage might’ve swung toward San Antonio on Friday with De’Aaron Fox back in the starting lineup and Dylan Harper in his customary bench role. And with Jalen Williams out for the Thunder and Ajay Mitchell — J-Dub’s replacement — going down midgame.
But the Thunder’s wounds are self-healing. Or at least that’s how it feels.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF
May 22, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; An overall view of Frost Bank Center before the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs for game three of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
(Daniel Dunn, Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF
May 22, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; An overall view of Frost Bank Center before the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs for game three of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
(Daniel Dunn, Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF
May 22, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) enter the stadium before the game against the San Antonio Spurs for game three of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
(Scott Wachter, Scott Wachter-Imagn Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF
May 22, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain (3) enter the stadium before the game against the San Antonio Spurs for game three of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
(Scott Wachter, Scott Wachter-Imagn Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MAY 22: Devin Vassell #24 of the San Antonio Spurs warms up before Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on May 22, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.
(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MAY 22: Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the Oklahoma City Thunder warms up before Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center on May 22, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.
(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MAY 22: De’aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs warms up before Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on May 22, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.
(Ronald Cortes, Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MAY 22: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs warms up before Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on May 22, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.
(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MAY 22: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs warms up before Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on May 22, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.
(Ronald Cortes, Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MAY 22: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder arrives before Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center on May 22, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.
(Ronald Cortes, Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MAY 22: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder warms up before Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center on May 22, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.
(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)
Two Thunder starters scored in double-digits. SGA had a team-high 26 points. Chet Holmgren had an awfully quiet 14.
Four Thunder reserves reached double digits. McCain had 24 points. Jaylin Williams had 18. Alex Caruso 15 and Cason Wallace 11. All of them made multiple 3-pointers.
The Thunder’s 76 bench points were the most in a conference finals or finals game since starters began being tracked in 1971, according to ESPN stat guru Matt Williams.
McCain only went 2-of-10 from behind the arc, but he was 8-of-11 from two. Just the opposite of what you’d expect. On the third-quarter drive in which he scored over Wembanyama, McCain said he thought he had a “small advantage.” Emphasis on small. But sure enough, McCain finished through Wemby’s web of limbs.
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I liked the Thunder’s trade for McCain, who graciously refuses to take a shot at since-fired Sixers exec Daryl “sold high” Morey. Why not buy low on a second-year player who flashed real promise as a rookie? McCain was a blue-chipper from Duke. Maybe he could help OKC in the future.
By future, I wasn’t thinking Western Conference Finals. I didn’t think McCain would contribute much of anything in the playoffs. I didn’t think he’d play in the playoffs.
Did SGA see this coming?
“At first, no,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “But after the first couple games, yeah. He just oozes confidence. He knows exactly who he is, he knows exactly what he does, and he goes out there and does it no matter what. Whether the ball goes in or out he makes the next play, he makes the best play for himself and for the guys out there. He’s always aggressive, always in attack mode and we needed it tonight.”
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TAKEAWAYS: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder roar past Spurs, claim 2-1 lead in West finals
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MAY 22: Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks to shoot the ball against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter in Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center on May 22, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.
McCain beelined to Jaylin Williams after J-Will buried a 3-pointer in Game 3 and was fouled in the act. It was McCain who had the assist.
McCain stood over Williams, celebrating. Williams has long been the Thunder’s jolliest fellow, but McCain is emerging as a threat. Maybe a smile-off could settle it.
Of course their lockers are right next to each other.
“I can’t avoid him,” said J-Will, trying and failing to be serious. “He’s just a good dude. He’s confident in himself, he’s confident in his ability, he’s confident in his own skin.”
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McCain makes up for his lack of playoff experience with his lack of fear.
“I truly love this,” McCain reiterated. “I think that’s why I can just go in there and be fearless and trust myself.”
In turn, McCain has earned the trust of his coach.
“He hasn’t flinched,” Mark Daigneault said.
He’s had the audacity to play like he belongs. On a team and stage that’s altogether new to him.
Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Jared McCain’s fearless play boosts Thunder past Spurs in WCF Game 3