We were so close...
The Sixers' offseason comes to a close tomorrow as the team hosts its media before quickly moving into a mini training camp and then traveling to Abu Dhabi for a pair of preseason matchups against the New York Knicks. However, it wouldn't be a Sixers season without controversy heading into Media Day.
As if the questionable health of Joel Embiid and Paul George and the continued uncertainty around the team re-signing Quentin Grimes weren't enough, Sixers guard Jared McCain suffered a UCL tear in his right thumb during a workout today, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps.
McCain is coming off a torn meniscus suffered last season that limited him to just 23 games, cutting short his campaign as the favorite to win Rookie of the Year.
https://twitter.com/TimBontemps/status/1971292793529401695
According to a statement by the team, "McCain and the Sixers are consulting with specialists on next steps and further updates will be provided as appropriate."
McCain averaged 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists last season as a rookie while shooting an impressive 38.3% from three on 5.8 attempts per game. After undergoing surgery to repair his meniscus, McCain labored through a long rehab process to work his way back the right way for his sophomore season.
This unfortunate injury is simply the latest in a long line of terrible injury luck that has plagued the Sixers, and now has bitten McCain for the second time.
At this time, there is no timeline for McCain's return.
Joel Embiid famously played through a torn thumb ligament during the 2022 NBA Playoffs, but the ligament was not specifically made known to be his UCL. Based on how one defines a thumb, there are anywhere between 3 to 16 supporting ligaments in a person's thumb.
Warriors guard Moses Moody had surgery on a torn UCL that ended his season, but it was also May when he had the procedure. Then-Pelicans guard CJ McCollum saw his season end due to UCL surgery in 2023, but that was also a late-season injury.
An average recovery time for NBA players of 9.6 weeks after surgery has been referenced in previous studies. That would roughly be a return date in December for McCain, if he undergoes surgery, though the team has already shown a desire to take it slow with the recovery of their young sharpshooter.
In McCain's absence, there will be plenty of opportunity for No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes, should the two sides be able to agree on a deal.
