Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain has encountered a fresh hurdle just days before training camp, suffering a UCL tear in his right thumb during a workout on Thursday, according to the team’s announcement.
The 21-year-old and the organization are collaborating with medical experts to outline the optimal course of action for his recovery, with no firm timeline yet established.
McCain, selected 16th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, showed early promise last season by putting up 15.3 points per game across 23 outings before a meniscus tear in his left knee in December forced surgery and sidelined him for the remainder of the year.
McCain was poised to carve out a prominent spot in Philadelphia’s lineup for the upcoming campaign, potentially sharing the backcourt with All-Star Tyrese Maxey as a starter or providing spark off the pine. With his status now uncertain, those opportunities figure to shift to Quentin Grimes—should the restricted free agent ink a deal to rejoin the Sixers—along with rookie VJ Edgecombe and seasoned point guard Kyle Lowry.
The 76ers are already navigating injury clouds over their top talents: superstar center Joel Embiid, who hasn’t seen game action since February after appearing in just 19 contests last season and undergoing left knee surgery this spring, with no fresh reports since; and All-Star forward Paul George, who had knee surgery in July and is slated to offer an update soon. Both Embiid and George are expected to address the media during Friday’s media day.
The Sixers’ previous campaign was marred by a wave of injuries that contributed to one of the league’s poorest records, ultimately boosting them to the third spot in the draft lottery and landing Edgecombe in June’s selection process. As for Grimes, negotiations with Philadelphia remain at an impasse, leaving him with a decision by October 1 on the one-year, $8.7 million qualifying offer for the 2025-26 term.
ESPN’s Shams Charania noted Wednesday that Grimes is not anticipated to travel with the team to Abu Dhabi for their preseason matchups against the New York Knicks next week, with the squad departing Sunday.
This latest blow to McCain underscores the fragility that has defined recent years for the franchise, but with depth at guard—including Maxey, Edgecombe, Lowry, and Eric Gordon—the Sixers aim to push forward as they eye a rebound in the Eastern Conference.
