{"id":140860,"date":"2026-02-21T09:00:25","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T09:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/140860\/"},"modified":"2026-02-21T09:00:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T09:00:25","slug":"jared-mccain-shows-bark-bite-as-okc-thunder-rolls-past-nets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/140860\/","title":{"rendered":"Jared McCain shows bark, bite as OKC Thunder rolls past Nets"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oklahoman.com\/story\/sports\/nba\/thunder\/2026\/02\/19\/jared-mccain-okc-thunder-philadelphia-76ers-2024-nba-draft-class\/88729508007\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Jared McCain;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Jared McCain<\/a> briefly paused as a microphone was placed inches away from his face.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oklahoman.com\/sports\/thunder\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:OKC;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">OKC<\/a> had just earned a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oklahoman.com\/story\/sports\/nba\/thunder\/2026\/02\/20\/thunder-nets-score-live-updates-nba-game-highlights-stats-injury-report\/88785101007\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:105-86 home win over Brooklyn;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">105-86 home win over Brooklyn<\/a> on Friday night. And after finishing his first postgame interview with sideline reporter Nick Gallo, he was told by <a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/okc-thunder-provides-injury-sga-234626832.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Jalen Williams;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jalen Williams<\/a> to give his debut bark. It was the final initiation for the 22-year-old birthday kid, who <a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/okc-thunder-adds-jared-mccain-192412523.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:joined the team at the trade deadline via a deal with Philadelphia;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">joined the team at the trade deadline via a deal with Philadelphia<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I was debating on going really light chihuahua or like a good one,&#8221; McCain said with a smile.<\/p>\n<p>McCain ultimately chose the latter, delivering not one but about 15 aggressive barks while staring directly into the camera. That should come as no surprise from someone who&#8217;ll <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oklahoman.com\/story\/sports\/nba\/thunder\/2026\/02\/14\/okc-thunder-jared-mccain-tiktok-jason-williams-plaqueboymax-nba-all-star\/88676377007\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:happily record a TikTok dance video or refer to his viewers as &quot;chat&quot; in public while recording a YouTube vlog;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">happily record a TikTok dance video or refer to his viewers as &#8220;chat&#8221; in public while recording a YouTube vlog<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I thought I did a great job,&#8221; said McCain, who later described his bark as a Rottweiler bark.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oklahoman.com\/story\/sports\/nba\/thunder\/2026\/02\/19\/jared-mccain-okc-thunder-philadelphia-76ers-2024-nba-draft-class\/88729508007\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Jared McCain may be new to OKC Thunder, but he &#039;looks like he has been here&#039; a while;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Jared McCain may be new to OKC Thunder, but he &#8216;looks like he has been here&#8217; a while<\/a><\/p>\n<p>That brief moment before barking was the only time McCain second-guessed himself all night.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>He racked up a team-high 21 points on 7-for-12 shooting from the field (3 for 6 from deep) in 23 minutes off the bench. And whether he was letting it fly from deep, pulling up from the mid range or attacking the rim, he played freely alongside his new teammates.<\/p>\n<p>It was the best game yet by McCain, who has only headlined one of OKC&#8217;s iconic group postgame interviews so far. But he has felt surrounded by supporters ever since he joined the team.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m very comfortable with everybody now, and I credit them,&#8221; McCain said. &#8220;They welcomed me, and I\u2019m just super thankful to be in this organization. It\u2019s truly a blessing to come here and be able to have people who\u2019ve succeeded at the highest level of basketball and still give me confidence and allow me to be myself. That&#8217;s when I feel like I&#8217;m at my best, when I&#8217;m surrounded by good energy. It comes right back to me, so I&#8217;m just grateful to be here.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Here are three takeaways from the win:<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/article\/celebrate-okc-thunders-amazing-season-030747565.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Order new book on Thunder&#039;s run to NBA title;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Order new book on Thunder&#8217;s run to NBA title<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"\">More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oklahoman.com\/story\/sports\/nba\/thunder\/2026\/02\/20\/okc-thunder-nba-predictions-2025-26-shai-gilgeous-alexander-mvp\/88759753007\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:10 OKC Thunder predictions: SGA can pull off rare double trophy repeat;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">10 OKC Thunder predictions: SGA can pull off rare double trophy repeat<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Isaiah Joe delivered one hustle play after another<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oklahoman.com\/story\/sports\/nba\/thunder\/2025\/12\/28\/okc-thunder-roster-development-lu-dort-ajay-mitchell-sam-presti\/87905028007\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Isaiah Joe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Isaiah Joe<\/a> didn&#8217;t have any reinforcements.<\/p>\n<p>It looked like a losing battle for the Thunder guard, who found himself on the wrong end of a two-on-one <a href=\"https:\/\/sportsdata.usatoday.com\/basketball\/nba\/teams\/brooklyn-nets\/17\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Nets;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Nets<\/a> fastbreak early in the second quarter. And yet he had no intentions of retreating.<\/p>\n<p>Joe anticipated the lob by <a href=\"https:\/\/sportsdata.usatoday.com\/basketball\/nba\/players\/drake-powell\/1542179\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Drake Powell;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Drake Powell<\/a> and showed off his vertical, deflecting the pass at its highest point. He then tumbled to the floor in a scramble for the ball, which bounced out of bounds.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>And when reinforcements finally came to help him up, Joe sat there for a few seconds. He was more concerned with pleading to the official, which ultimately awarded OKC possession.<\/p>\n<p>That was one of the many hustle plays of the night by Joe. He battled for offensive boards. He invaded passing lanes for steals. He stormed the rim on fastbreaks. He was everywhere on a night when he finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and two steals in 22 minutes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oklahoman.com\/story\/sports\/nba\/thunder\/2026\/02\/18\/chris-paul-retired-but-his-impact-on-okc-thunder-shai-gilgeous-alexander-lu-dort-is-still-seen\/88698074007\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Chris Paul retired, but his impact on OKC Thunder&#039;s SGA and Lu Dort is still seen;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Chris Paul retired, but his impact on OKC Thunder&#8217;s SGA and Lu Dort is still seen<\/a><\/p>\n<p>1 \/ 16<\/p>\n<p>OKC Thunder vs Brooklyn at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren (7) goes to the basket as Brooklyn guard Egor Demin (8) and Brooklyn forward Noah Clowney (21) defend during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/9b232cbf136785340ea72f27cf7b4b7a.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>1 \/ 16<\/p>\n<p>OKC Thunder vs Brooklyn at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren (7) goes to the basket as Brooklyn guard Egor Demin (8) and Brooklyn forward Noah Clowney (21) defend during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/076922d3c965b1b14e707f5936673163.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2 \/ 16<\/p>\n<p>OKC Thunder vs Brooklyn at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City guard Aaron Wiggins (21) tries to get by Brooklyn forward Noah Clowney (21) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/fbd5d4af98797828cba0f72f73438ecc.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>3 \/ 16<\/p>\n<p>OKC Thunder vs Brooklyn at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren (7) tries to get by Brooklyn guard Nolan Traore (88) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/e915719b805d21a220112343936b362c.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>4 \/ 16<\/p>\n<p>OKC Thunder vs Brooklyn at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City guard Cason Wallace (22) drives to the basket as Brooklyn guard Nolan Traore (88) defends during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1c4eae7a16a695bb63ff5102f559431f.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>5 \/ 16<\/p>\n<p>OKC Thunder vs Brooklyn at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City guard Cason Wallace (22) drives to the basket as Brooklyn guard Nolan Traore (88) defends during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/6eae1273b8a0ff573da3675f758ec831.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>6 \/ 16<\/p>\n<p>OKC Thunder vs Brooklyn at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren (7) dunks the ball during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/f4af752de39752f2d124524f1c55c739.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>7 \/ 16<\/p>\n<p>OKC Thunder vs Brooklyn at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City guard Kenrich Williams (34) tries to get around Brooklyn guard Drake Powell (4) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bcf56dbc3031cfd54d869e2ec80247ec.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>8 \/ 16<\/p>\n<p>OKC Thunder vs Brooklyn at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City guard Nikola Topic (44) drives to the basket as Brooklyn forward Jalen Wilson (22) defends during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/a9409b55165ecd58759c36c95997eea3.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>9 \/ 16<\/p>\n<p>OKC Thunder vs Brooklyn at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/b43cd7e3386ecc5074769e5c27ac26f9.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>10 \/ 16<\/p>\n<p>OKC Thunder vs Brooklyn at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) defends against Brooklyn guard Nolan Traore (88) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/6b77e7aec09d087a68bcebf4d0a3e037.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>11 \/ 16<\/p>\n<p>OKC Thunder vs Brooklyn at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City guard Aaron Wiggins (21) and Brooklyn guard Egor Demin (8) fight for a loose ball during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/8182c7fffd87e3e55f925c2109ed81ed.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>12 \/ 16<\/p>\n<p>OKC Thunder vs Brooklyn at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) blocks the shot of Brooklyn center Day&#8217;ron Sharpe (20) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/5ec81ade9c156e18bcdba46d500c8c69.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>13 \/ 16<\/p>\n<p>OKC Thunder vs Brooklyn at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City guard Cason Wallace (22) defends against Brooklyn guard Nolan Traore (88) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/cc36f02595757fa9ff946913ac332736.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>14 \/ 16<\/p>\n<p>OKC Thunder vs Brooklyn at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Brooklyn guard Ochai Agbaji goes to the basket as Oklahoma City guard Kenrich Williams (34) and Isaiah Hartenstein (55) defend during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/f39b6012bcf90d19f34289dd6b9d431a.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>15 \/ 16<\/p>\n<p>OKC Thunder vs Brooklyn at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City guard Alex Caruso (9) fouls Brooklyn forward Noah Clowney (21) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/c62c30fad32da9a8504687442f695fa2.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>16 \/ 16<\/p>\n<p>OKC Thunder vs Brooklyn at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City guard Alex Caruso (9) argues after a play during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Nikola Topi\u0107 made the most of his minutes in second career NBA game<\/p>\n<p>Every NBA minute is valuable to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oklahoman.com\/story\/sports\/nba\/thunder\/2026\/02\/13\/nikola-topic-nba-debut-testicular-cancer-thunder-bucks\/88656144007\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Nikola Topi\u0107;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Nikola Topi\u0107<\/a>, who had to overcome a lot to reach the floor.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>The former 12th overall pick in the 2024 draft missed all of last season due to a <a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/okc-thunder-first-round-draft-185239120.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:partially torn ACL in his left knee;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">partially torn ACL in his left knee <\/a>that required surgery. And after participating in <a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/article\/did-thunder-players-perform-2025-110102352.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Summer League play;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Summer League play<\/a> and OKC&#8217;s preseason opener last year, he was <a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/article\/nikola-topi-undergoing-chemotherapy-testicular-163531758.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:diagnosed with testicular cancer;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">diagnosed with testicular cancer<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>But Topi\u0107 has since completed chemotherapy and made his NBA debut. And when he checked into the game to start the fourth quarter, he made the most of his opportunity.<\/p>\n<p>Topi\u0107 showed an ability to get downhill, where he finished a layup. He showed some range by drilling a 3-pointer. He showed good decision making with the ball by finding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oklahoman.com\/story\/sports\/nba\/thunder\/2026\/02\/15\/okc-thunder-chet-holmgren-first-nba-all-star-game-selection-path\/88614836007\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Chet Holmgren;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Chet Holmgren<\/a> for a 13-foot bucket. And he did it all in only the first five minutes of the quarter to help OKC open up an 88-75 lead.<\/p>\n<p>Topi\u0107 finished with nine points, three rebounds and two assists in only 11 minutes during what marked his second career game. It was a promising performance by a 20-year-old guard who doesn&#8217;t just want to touch an NBA floor. He wants to show he can stay on one.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe was great,&#8221; Thunder head coach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oklahoman.com\/story\/sports\/nba\/thunder\/2025\/06\/23\/nba-finals-mark-daigneault-okc-thunder-coach-wanted-title-so-bad-for-players\/84314209007\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Mark Daigneault;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Mark Daigneault<\/a> said. &#8220;He played really well. Obviously, that\u2019s his second NBA game, so to really evaluate him in a context would be unfair. But he\u2019s obviously a really good player. He\u2019s got a really good sense for the game. He goes in there and he acts like he belongs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oklahoman.com\/story\/sports\/nba\/thunder\/2026\/02\/13\/nikola-topic-nba-debut-testicular-cancer-thunder-bucks\/88656144007\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Nikola Topic&#039;s NBA debut was 600 days in the making after ACL tear, cancer battle;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Nikola Topic&#8217;s NBA debut was 600 days in the making after ACL tear, cancer battle<\/a><\/p>\n<p>1 \/ 14<\/p>\n<p>Nikola Topic, OKC Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City guard Luguentz Dort (5) fouls Milwaukee guard Cam Thomas (24) in the first quarter during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4cf2fd6f880a0d8f93f3971185198e36.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>1 \/ 14<\/p>\n<p>Nikola Topic, OKC Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City guard Luguentz Dort (5) fouls Milwaukee guard Cam Thomas (24) in the first quarter during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ce0ed984ad3997b4771272d05371f9a5.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2 \/ 14<\/p>\n<p>Nikola Topic, OKC Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren (7) jumps to shoot over Milwaukee forward Ousmane Dieng (21) in the second quarter during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/c8b2200a746fcda2e9d5bf3317f114cf.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>3 \/ 14<\/p>\n<p>Nikola Topic, OKC Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Milwaukee forward Ousmane Dieng (21) looks up in the second quarter during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/f1e37836465b604962d6afc4000d388a.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>4 \/ 14<\/p>\n<p>Nikola Topic, OKC Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren (7) jumps to shoot over Milwaukee forward Ousmane Dieng (21) in the second quarter during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bd90b0987e6f27b65f29551bdb475680.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>5 \/ 14<\/p>\n<p>Nikola Topic, OKC Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City forward Jaylin Williams (6) jumps to shoot in the second quarter during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ddc0bae63ce1adc3eb04bf6e9fc01156.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>6 \/ 14<\/p>\n<p>Nikola Topic, OKC Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Milwaukee forward Ousmane Dieng (21) shoots a 3-pointer over Oklahoma City guard Alex Caruso (9) in the second quarter during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/3a3bc159f9dced787e82374ba80e7607.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>7 \/ 14<\/p>\n<p>Nikola Topic, OKC Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City guard Isaiah Joe (11) steps on the foot of Milwaukee guard Andre Jackson Jr. (44) in the first quarter during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/e3b71bd24f531ef9d4bc37a5b4840953.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>8 \/ 14<\/p>\n<p>Nikola Topic, OKC Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Milwaukee guard AJ Green (20) passes the ball past Oklahoma City guard Nikola Topi\u0107 (44) in the first quarter during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/abdc458f40d0e617077e1eda28a3b914.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>9 \/ 14<\/p>\n<p>Nikola Topic, OKC Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City guard Isaiah Joe (11) steps on the foot of Milwaukee guard Andre Jackson Jr. (44) in the first quarter during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/9a7a4d844cbe479a7aaa9f22c7af8c06.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>10 \/ 14<\/p>\n<p>Nikola Topic, OKC Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City guard Nikola Topi\u0107 (44) runs up court in the second quarter during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/e67862eae03482d21e0c0a9c76bca14b.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>11 \/ 14<\/p>\n<p>Nikola Topic, OKC Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren (7) drives to the hoop past Milwaukee center Jericho Sims (00) in the first quarter during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/483522c68a17eddd46a3b16b975ad457.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>12 \/ 14<\/p>\n<p>Nikola Topic, OKC Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City guard Nikola Topi\u0107 (44) warms up before an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/61c8148f76d5a3eb7928cfd0ce32822b.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>13 \/ 14<\/p>\n<p>Nikola Topic, OKC Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City guard Nikola Topi\u0107 (44) passes the ball in on his first game in the first quarter during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/e31315a070c20c8a370773f12914dff2.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>14 \/ 14<\/p>\n<p>Nikola Topic, OKC Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center, see our top photos<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma City guard Isaiah Joe (11) shoots a 3-pointer in the first quarter during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Thunder will need everyone to step up offensively<\/p>\n<p>OKC&#8217;s defense kept it afloat Friday. It held Brooklyn to 36.7% shooting from the field and 17.1% shooting from deep, and it forced 20 turnovers.<\/p>\n<p>But shot creation remained a struggle at times for the Thunder, which was without its usual go-to options.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>OKC announced Thursday that <a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/shai-gilgeous-alexander-injury-okc-191515678.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Shai Gilgeous-Alexander;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a>\u00a0(abdominal strain) and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/thunder-guard-ajay-mitchell-selected-000934007.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Ajay Mitchell;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ajay Mitchell<\/a>\u00a0(abdominal strain and left ankle sprain) will both be re-evaluated in approximately one week.\u00a0Williams\u00a0(right hamstring strain) will also be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks.<\/p>\n<p>OKC will need everyone to step up during its next stretch of games, which is as difficult as any all season. It&#8217;ll host <a href=\"https:\/\/sportsdata.usatoday.com\/basketball\/nba\/teams\/cleveland-cavaliers\/5\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Cleveland;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Cleveland<\/a> on Sunday followed by road games against <a href=\"https:\/\/sportsdata.usatoday.com\/basketball\/nba\/teams\/toronto-raptors\/28\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Toronto;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Toronto<\/a> on Tuesday and <a href=\"https:\/\/sportsdata.usatoday.com\/basketball\/nba\/teams\/detroit-pistons\/8\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Detroit;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Detroit<\/a> on Wednesday. It&#8217;ll then host <a href=\"https:\/\/sportsdata.usatoday.com\/basketball\/nba\/teams\/denver-nuggets\/7\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Denver;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Denver<\/a> on Friday, Feb. 27.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">More: <a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/okc-thunder-provides-injury-sga-234626832.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:OKC Thunder provides injury update on SGA, Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">OKC Thunder provides injury update on SGA, Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Tip-ins<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">\u220e OKC was without <a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/shai-gilgeous-alexander-injury-okc-191515678.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Shai Gilgeous-Alexander;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a> (abdominal strain), <a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/okc-thunder-provides-injury-sga-234626832.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Ajay Mitchell;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ajay Mitchell<\/a> (abdominal strain), <a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/article\/thomas-sorber-injury-okc-thunder-174359672.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Thomas Sorber;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Thomas Sorber<\/a>\u00a0(right ACL surgical recovery) and <a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/jalen-williams-injury-thunder-forward-195923829.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Jalen Williams;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jalen Williams<\/a> (right hamstring strain).<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">\u220e Brooklyn was without Nic Claxton (right ankle sprain), Tyson Etienne (G League two-way), Chaney Johnson (G League two-way), E.J. Liddell (G League two-way), Josh Minott (G League assignment), Ben Saraf (G League assignment) and Ziaire Williams (personal reasons).<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X\/Twitter at\u00a0@Justintohoops. Sign up for the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/profile.oklahoman.com\/newsletters\/thunder-sports-minute\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Thunder Sports Minute newsletter;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Thunder Sports Minute newsletter<\/a>\u00a0to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin&#8217;s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/subscribe.oklahoman.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Thunder vs. Cavaliers<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">TIPOFF:\u00a0Noon Sunday at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City (ABC)<\/p>\n<p>This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oklahoman.com\/story\/sports\/nba\/thunder\/2026\/02\/20\/thunder-vs-nets-score-nba-chet-holmgren-michael-porter-jr-stats\/88787971007\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Jared McCain shows bark, bite as OKC Thunder rolls past Nets;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Jared McCain shows bark, bite as OKC Thunder rolls past Nets<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Jared McCain briefly paused as a microphone was placed inches away from his face. OKC had just earned&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":140861,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[59435,7936,98,100,99,11500,40438,59456,27527,9267,7672,9415,7935,19723,59036,59038,16515,25470,9,24,4601,59476,63,59475,9413,339,30530,59037,9419,19722,4607],"class_list":{"0":"post-140860","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-brooklyn","8":"tag-ajay-mitchell","9":"tag-ben-saraf","10":"tag-brooklyn","11":"tag-brooklyn-headlines","12":"tag-brooklyn-news","13":"tag-cavaliers","14":"tag-chaney-johnson","15":"tag-chet-holmgren","16":"tag-chris-paul","17":"tag-cleveland","18":"tag-denver","19":"tag-detroit","20":"tag-drake-powell","21":"tag-e-j-liddell","22":"tag-isaiah-joe","23":"tag-jalen-williams","24":"tag-jared-mccain","25":"tag-josh-minott","26":"tag-new-york","27":"tag-new-york-city","28":"tag-nic-claxton","29":"tag-nikola-topic","30":"tag-nyc","31":"tag-okc","32":"tag-oklahoma-city","33":"tag-philadelphia","34":"tag-shai-gilgeous-alexander","35":"tag-thomas-sorber","36":"tag-toronto","37":"tag-tyson-etienne","38":"tag-ziaire-williams"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140860","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=140860"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140860\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/140861"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=140860"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=140860"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=140860"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}