Sixers rookie Jared McCain sustained knee injury in loss to Pacers, will undergo surgery

Keith Pompey, The Philadelphia Inquirer on Dec 14, 2024

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PHILADELPHIA — The 76ers received devastating news this weekend.

Jared McCain, who had been an NBA Rookie of the Year frontrunner, reported left knee soreness following Friday night's 121-107 loss to the Indiana Pacers.

An MRI on Saturday revealed a lateral meniscus tear to his left knee. The injury will require surgery, and the guard is out indefinitely.

This news comes after McCain, the No. 16 pick in the first round of NBA draft from Duke, appeared to suffer a third-quarter head injury after falling to the court while being fouled. McCain bumped the back of his head on that play.

He struggled to keep his balance and had to be held up by Paul George before walking to the foul line.

McCain was checked out in the locker room and cleared concussion protocol. He returned to play later in the quarter.

The news of his injury came the day after Joel Embiid suffered a sinus fracture against the Pacers.

The Sixers will miss McCain, who was averaging 15.3 points while making 2.2 3-pointers a game and shooting 38.2% from deep. The 20-year-old joined NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson as the only Sixers rookies to average at least 15 points and two made 3-pointers a game.

McCain was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for October and November.

During those months, he led all rookies with seven games in which he scored at least 20 points, including two games with 30 or more points. That was highlighted by his career-high 34 against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 13. McCain finished that game with 10 assists to join Iverson and Ben Simmons as the only Sixers rookies with at least 30 points and 10 assists in a game.