CHICAGO — The Philadelphia 76ers fell to the Chicago Bulls 113-111 on the road on Tuesday as they saw a 24-point slip away in the second half, but if there was one positive from this contest, it was the return of Jared McCain.

Playing in his first game since Dec. 13 in the 2024-25 season, McCain played 15 minutes and was able to get up and down the floor a bit for the first time in nearly a year. The No. 16 pick of the 2024 draft was unable to find a rhythm as he shot 0-for-4 from the floor and 0-for-2 from deep, but it was important to get him back and playing again.

“Yeah, it felt amazing,” McCain stated afterward. “I was just happy to be out there. Just grateful to be able to put on the uniform. I was just making sure I had my jersey on and have my shorts on it was tucked in, but yeah, I was just happy to be out there.”

McCain had his rookie year cut short after just 23 games due to a torn meniscus in his left knee. He then missed the first six games of his second season due to a torn UCL in his right hand so working his way back and getting on the floor was a big step forward for him.

He played with a bulky knee brace and a sleeve over it as he continues to get right. It’s tough to really move and play with that brace restricting him as he moves.

“Conditioning-wise, I felt actually pretty fine,” McCain added. “You can condition with the thumb, so I’ve been conditioning a lot lately. So I didn’t feel too much with that. I think it’s more just getting used to that contact with the knee, and then that was one of the first times with the sleeve over the brace. So just getting used to it. It takes a minute, so hopefully I’m not in it for too long, but whatever happens, it’ll be good.”

On the other hand, one cannot actually simulate NBA games. While McCain was able to feel fine in terms of his conditioning, there was still work to be done as he adjusts and works his way back into rhythm and game shape. The biggest adjustment for the now second-year guard was getting used to the speed of the game again.

“I think just how fast it is,” McCain marveled. “How fast the game is. That was probably the biggest like, ‘OK, let’s go.’ Can’t really replicate that until you get to a real game, but other than that, I know the shot’s gonna go in. I’m not too worried about. That third shot I think I took, it was a 3, it was like, wide open. I wanted to make that one, but I know it’s gonna come but, yeah. I’m just getting out there. It’s fine.”

McCain and the Sixers will finish the trip on Wednesday when they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on the second night of a back-to-back.