Atlantic Notes: McCain, Bona, Quickley, Pritchard

The Sixes dropped to 2-9 Wednesday with their loss to the Cavaliers, but rookie Jared McCain continued to be a bright spot for his team. The Duke product scored a career-high 34 points and 10 assists in the loss, making six of his 13 three-point attempts. As Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer notesMcCain’s 34 points were the most by a rookie in a game this season and came in his first career start.

“I just attribute (the career night) to my work,McCain said.I work so hard so I feel like I need these games. I’m starting to learn more about being a leader. I feel like in college (at Duke), it was more off-ball. So definitely learning the process there, cutting down on turnovers and reading the game a little slower. But then again, I feel like I’m finding my shot, whether it’s mid-range, getting to the rim, and obviously shooting the three.”

As we noted Wednesday, McCain has logged 30 minutes or more in each of his last four games. Without Tyrese MaxeyThe Sixers are leaning more on the rookie’s guard skills.

“Obviously, another great game for him,” head coach Nick nurse said. “I think the biggest thing was the 10 assists for me. I know 34 is a big number. Again, he’s mostly done it one way. And to do that, you start to… create. I felt he mostly did a good job getting it out to other people to get some buckets. And that’s pretty quick learning, isn’t it?“

As Pompey notes, McCain is one of five Sixers to play in every game, and his 13.5 points per game. competition is number four on the team. He is making 38.5% of his three-point attempts this season.

We have more from the Atlantic Division:

• companion Sixes rookie Adem Bona received his first big minutes Wednesday against the Cavaliers. Bona produced four points and nine rebounds in 17 minutes, which left him feeling encouraged, That’s what Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes. “It felt great to have the opportunity to do what I do out there,” said Bona. “The coaches trusted me and put me in the game. It was like a little confidence boost for me, to show the coach that I can contribute and help the team.” Bona might not play much this season, but he got this opportunity Joel Embiid out due to damage handling and Andre Drummond sidelined due to illness. “He should be excited to get his chance,” said the nurse. “Let’s see what he does with it.“
• The first anniversary of the trade for Immanuel Quickley comes up to Birds of preybut he has only played 25 games alongside other cornerstones Scottie Barnes, Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca writes. Quickley and Barnes have traded time on the injured list since the acquisition, and Quickley will now likely miss about a month with a UCL injury, Grange notes.
• The four-year, $30 million deal Payton Pritchard signed with Celtics in 2023 continues to look like a trade, Brian Robb of MassLive.com writes. Pritchard has been a huge factor in the rotation this season, averaging 16.2 points per game. game while shooting 42.7% from three. His 23 points Wednesday against Brooklyn helped the Celtics turn an 11-point first-half deficit into a blowout victory. “Payton has been excellent,” teammate Jaylen Brown said. “He’s been fantastic and that’s what we need. He has been a superstar in his role. It’s almost like it’s now kind of expected because he’s done it so much and he’s done it so well. But of course it’s a long season. We have to keep encouraging and finding him. And at times even play through him; let Payton run the show. I don’t mind, especially when guys have a role in it. Just have the mindset that we are a team and whatever it takes to get it done.“