The Sixers’ injury woes worsen with Rookie of the Year candidate Jared McCain out indefinitely

On By Littum

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 8: Jared McCain #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on December 8, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User consents to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Jared McCain was the most pleasant surprise of the Sixers season. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Philadelphia 76ers were arguably the most snake-bitten team in the NBA. It just got worse.

Rookie guard Jared McCain, a top contender for the Rookie of the Year award, suffered a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee Friday and will require surgery that will sideline him indefinitely. the Sixers announced on Saturday.

The exact time McCain sustained the meniscus tear is unclear. He left the game against the Indiana Pacers at one point, but it was because of a fall where the back of the head bounced off the pitch.

Regardless, the loss of McCain may be the worst blow yet for the Sixers, who have struggled to get their core triumvirate of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George on the court. The trio has played just three games together so far in 2024-25, and Embiid is now dealing with a sinus fracture that will be evaluated over the weekend. He has played a total of six games all season.

The team has a 7-16 record, and McCain was a major reason why that record isn’t even worse. The 16th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft leads all rookies in points while shooting a strong 38.3% from 3-point range, setting several milestones along the way.

McCain had started at point guard with Maxey out, but mostly came off the bench in recent games. He was still an important part of the rotation, though, and it won’t be easy to replace him, even if the team has gotten used to playing short-handed.

As for Rookie of the Year, McCain was the odds-on favorite to take home the award, reflecting the productivity of this season’s rookie class as much as the strength of McCain’s play. With McCain almost certainly not playing enough to win the award, the field is now wide open.

Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs, Dalton Knecht of the Los Angeles Lakers and Yves Missi of the New Orleans Pelicans all emerge as options, but many more rookies could become top contenders with just one good month.