Jared McCain finally finds his footing in a game that showcased his late-game heroics against the Milwaukee Bucks. For months, it seemed like an impossible feat for the Sixers' sophomore guard to break out of his struggles, but Tuesday's performance was a testament to the patience and perseverance that coach Nick Nurse has instilled in him.
McCain's resurgence came after a dismal stretch where he struggled to find his rhythm on the court. His season debut in early November was a harbinger of things to come, as he went scoreless that night in Chicago. However, it wasn't until Monday's game against Charlotte, when McCain connected on four triples in garbage time, that Nurse saw a glimmer of hope for the young guard.
On Tuesday, McCain followed up his impressive showing from the previous night with an even better performance, scoring 17 points on just eight shot attempts and making five of his six long-range attempts. The 17-point outing was the highest of the season for McCain, and it marked a breakthrough moment for the struggling sophomore.
The turning point came in the fourth quarter, when McCain found his footing as he connected on four triples to help the Sixers put the game out of reach. His importance on the court was heightened with Quentin Grimes sidelined due to an ankle sprain, and rookie VJ Edgecombe finding himself in foul trouble.
Coach Nick Nurse credited McCain's positivity and breathing habits for helping him break through his slump. "Positivity always pays off," said Nurse, who has continued to preach patience to McCain.
McCain's teammates were thrilled to see their struggling guard finally find his footing on the court. Justin Edwards, a teammate of McCain's, said that he knew it was coming, and that McCain is a player who can break out of slumps at any moment.
The performance marked a significant boost for the Sixers' morale, as they beat the Milwaukee Bucks in a crucial matchup. The win showcased the chemistry between McCain and his teammates, particularly Joel Embiid, with whom he hopes to continue playing off of.
"It was huge," said Paul George, "it felt more like him... He works on his game tirelessly, and he shoots it effortlessly."
McCain's resurgence came after a dismal stretch where he struggled to find his rhythm on the court. His season debut in early November was a harbinger of things to come, as he went scoreless that night in Chicago. However, it wasn't until Monday's game against Charlotte, when McCain connected on four triples in garbage time, that Nurse saw a glimmer of hope for the young guard.
On Tuesday, McCain followed up his impressive showing from the previous night with an even better performance, scoring 17 points on just eight shot attempts and making five of his six long-range attempts. The 17-point outing was the highest of the season for McCain, and it marked a breakthrough moment for the struggling sophomore.
The turning point came in the fourth quarter, when McCain found his footing as he connected on four triples to help the Sixers put the game out of reach. His importance on the court was heightened with Quentin Grimes sidelined due to an ankle sprain, and rookie VJ Edgecombe finding himself in foul trouble.
Coach Nick Nurse credited McCain's positivity and breathing habits for helping him break through his slump. "Positivity always pays off," said Nurse, who has continued to preach patience to McCain.
McCain's teammates were thrilled to see their struggling guard finally find his footing on the court. Justin Edwards, a teammate of McCain's, said that he knew it was coming, and that McCain is a player who can break out of slumps at any moment.
The performance marked a significant boost for the Sixers' morale, as they beat the Milwaukee Bucks in a crucial matchup. The win showcased the chemistry between McCain and his teammates, particularly Joel Embiid, with whom he hopes to continue playing off of.
"It was huge," said Paul George, "it felt more like him... He works on his game tirelessly, and he shoots it effortlessly."