{"id":305862,"date":"2026-05-23T12:02:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-23T12:02:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/305862\/"},"modified":"2026-05-23T12:02:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T12:02:12","slug":"jared-mccains-fearless-play-boosts-thunder-past-spurs-in-game-3-for-wcf-series-lead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/305862\/","title":{"rendered":"Jared McCain’s fearless play boosts Thunder past Spurs in Game 3 for WCF series lead"},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN ANTONIO \u2014\u00a0Jared McCain<\/a> is an audacious basketball player.<\/p>\n

No other way to explain why a guy who\u2019s 6-foot-3 on a good day would have the gall to attack Victor Wembanyama<\/a>. And then have the brashness to flex on all of France.<\/p>\n

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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<\/a>. Six more shots than Wembanyama.<\/p>\n

None of this makes sense. That\u2019s 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?<\/p>\n

\u201cI love this so much,\u201d McCain said. \u201cI love what my life is right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

And the Thunder\u2019s loving life with McCain.<\/p>\n

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CARLSON: Alex Caruso isn’t just a defensive dynamo. In Thunder-Spurs series, he’s the MVP<\/a><\/p>\n

\"SANSAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MAY 22: Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a> shoots the ball against Devin Vassell<\/a> #24 of the San Antonio Spurs<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

McCain and his band of benchmen left their prints all over the Thunder\u2019s 123-108 Game 3 win against the Spurs.<\/p>\n

McCain scored 24 points on 21 shots, a stat line his idol, Kobe Bryant<\/a>, would\u2019ve been proud of. McCain\u2019s previous playoff high was 18 points against the Lakers<\/a> in Game 2 of round 2.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if I expected it,\u201d McCain said of his role, \u201cbut I\u2019m definitely ready for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Thunder\u2019s bench outscored the Spurs\u2019 bench by 53 points \u2014\u00a076-23. Heck, the Thunder\u2019s bench outscored the Thunder\u2019s starters 76-47.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe play our brand of basketball no matter who\u2019s out there,\u201d Gilgeous-Alexander said.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s bench out in Games 4, 5 and 6.<\/p>\n

You would think the depth advantage might\u2019ve swung toward San Antonio on Friday with De\u2019Aaron Fox<\/a> back in the starting lineup and Dylan Harper<\/a> in his customary bench role. And with Jalen Williams<\/a> out for the Thunder and Ajay Mitchell<\/a> \u2014\u00a0J-Dub\u2019s replacement \u2014\u00a0going down midgame.<\/p>\n

But the Thunder\u2019s wounds are self-healing. Or at least that\u2019s how it feels.<\/p>\n

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REPORT CARD: Put respect on Jaylin Williams’ name after special Game 3 for Thunder vs Spurs<\/a><\/p>\n

1 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

(Daniel Dunn, Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

1 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

(Daniel Dunn, Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

2 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, Scott Wachter-Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

3 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, Scott Wachter-Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

4 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

5 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

6 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

(Ronald Cortes, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

7 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

8 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

(Ronald Cortes, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

9 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

(Ronald Cortes, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

10 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Two Thunder starters scored in double-digits. SGA had a team-high 26 points. Chet Holmgren<\/a> had an awfully quiet 14.<\/p>\n

Four Thunder reserves reached double digits. McCain had 24 points. Jaylin Williams had 18. Alex Caruso 15 and Cason Wallace<\/a> 11. All of them made multiple 3-pointers.<\/p>\n

The Thunder\u2019s 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

McCain only went 2-of-10 from behind the arc, but he was 8-of-11 from two. Just the opposite of what you\u2019d expect. On the third-quarter drive in which he scored over Wembanyama, McCain said he thought he had a \u201csmall advantage.\u201d Emphasis on small. But sure enough, McCain finished through Wemby\u2019s web of limbs.<\/p>\n

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I liked the Thunder\u2019s trade for McCain<\/a>, who graciously refuses to take a shot at since-fired Sixers<\/a> exec Daryl \u201csold high\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

By future, I wasn\u2019t thinking Western Conference Finals. I didn\u2019t think McCain would contribute much of anything in the playoffs. I didn\u2019t think he\u2019d play in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Did SGA see this coming?<\/p>\n

\u201cAt first, no,\u201d Gilgeous-Alexander said. \u201cBut 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\u2019s always aggressive, always in attack mode and we needed it tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

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TAKEAWAYS: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder roar past Spurs, claim 2-1 lead in West finals<\/a><\/p>\n

\"SAN<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

McCain stood over Williams, celebrating. Williams has long been the Thunder\u2019s jolliest fellow, but McCain is emerging as a threat. Maybe a smile-off could settle it.<\/p>\n

Of course their lockers are right next to each other.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t avoid him,\u201d said J-Will, trying and failing to be serious. \u201cHe\u2019s just a good dude. He\u2019s confident in himself, he\u2019s confident in his ability, he\u2019s confident in his own skin.\u201d<\/p>\n

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McCain makes up for his lack of playoff experience with his lack of fear.<\/p>\n

\u201cI truly love this,\u201d McCain reiterated. \u201cI think that\u2019s why I can just go in there and be fearless and trust myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

In turn, McCain has earned the trust of his coach.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe hasn\u2019t flinched,\u201d Mark Daigneault said.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s had the audacity to play like he belongs. On a team and stage that\u2019s altogether new to him.<\/p>\n

Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at\u00a0jmussatto@oklahoman.com<\/a>. Support Joe’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a\u00a0digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Jared McCain’s fearless play boosts Thunder past Spurs in WCF Game 3<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"SAN ANTONIO \u2014\u00a0Jared McCain is an audacious basketball player. No other way to explain why a guy who\u2019s…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":305863,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[64115,11241,53250,11244,16024,32000,2715,10135,78719,108418,65589,23004,6382,82,84,83,1066,41611,78718,4847,509,102235],"class_list":["post-305862","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-san-antonio","tag-ajay-mitchell","tag-alex-caruso","tag-cason-wallace","tag-chet-holmgren","tag-deaaron-fox","tag-devin-vassell","tag-dylan-harper","tag-jalen-williams","tag-jared-mccain","tag-jaylin-williams","tag-kobe-bryant","tag-lakers","tag-oklahoma-city-thunder","tag-san-antonio","tag-san-antonio-headlines","tag-san-antonio-news","tag-san-antonio-spurs","tag-shai-gilgeous-alexander","tag-sixers","tag-the-spurs","tag-victor-wembanyama","tag-western-conference-finals"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/305862","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=305862"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/305862\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/305863"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=305862"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=305862"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=305862"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}