Chet Holmgren Believes Jared McCain’s Playoff Rise Is No Fluke

The Oklahoma City Thunder have continued their dominant postseason run by overwhelming opponents with depth, versatility, and consistent two-way play. While established stars have carried much of the attention, one of the biggest developments during the playoffs has been the emergence of guard Jared McCain as a major contributor.

McCain’s rapid rise has surprised many around the league, especially after injuries interrupted much of his previous season. Early in his career, some observers questioned whether his scoring bursts were sustainable or simply another short-lived hot streak similar to past breakout sensations across the NBA.

Thunder center Chet Holmgren never viewed McCain that way. According to Holmgren, the young guard’s offensive creativity and shot-making ability were always more advanced than many realized. He recently explained that McCain’s current success is not the product of temporary momentum but rather the result of a skill set that has steadily developed over time.

That confidence is now being rewarded on the postseason stage. McCain has become a critical part of Oklahoma City’s rotation, providing scoring efficiency, perimeter shooting, and composure in high-pressure moments as the Thunder continue pursuing a championship run.

1. Holmgren Saw McCain’s Potential Early

Chet Holmgren’s praise for McCain carries added significance because of Holmgren’s own reputation as one of the NBA’s premier defensive players. As someone tasked with protecting the rim and reading opposing offenses nightly, Holmgren understands the difference between temporary scoring flashes and genuine offensive talent. Holmgren said he watched McCain closely during his earlier breakout stretch before injuries interrupted the young guard’s momentum. While many focused primarily on McCain’s perimeter shooting, Holmgren noticed a much more complete offensive package developing beneath the surface. According to Holmgren, McCain always possessed the ability to create his own opportunities rather than simply benefiting from hot shooting nights. His ball-handling, footwork, and confidence attacking defenders allowed him to generate clean looks from multiple areas on the floor. That versatility has become increasingly valuable for Oklahoma City during the postseason. Defenses often tighten during playoff basketball, making one-dimensional scorers easier to neutralize. McCain’s ability to score both on and off the ball has helped the Thunder maintain offensive balance throughout difficult stretches of games.

2. Injuries Fueled Questions About His Future

McCain’s path to this postseason resurgence was not entirely smooth. After showing flashes of promise earlier in his career, injuries disrupted much of his 2024-25 season and slowed the momentum he had built as a young player. The absence created uncertainty around the league. Some questioned whether McCain’s early production had been inflated by confidence and opportunity rather than long-term star potential. Comparisons to short-lived breakout stories began to follow him as expectations cooled. Instead of allowing those doubts to define him, McCain used the setback as motivation. He returned with noticeable improvements to his overall offensive game, particularly in his ability to create space and attack defenders off the dribble. His handle looked tighter, his decision-making sharper, and his confidence more controlled. The Thunder also provided an environment that maximized his strengths after acquiring him from the Philadelphia 76ers in a midseason trade. Oklahoma City’s pace, spacing, and ball movement allowed McCain to play freely while still remaining within a disciplined offensive structure.

3. McCain Becomes a Key Weapon for Oklahoma City

McCain’s impact became especially noticeable during the Western Conference semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers. While much attention centered on Oklahoma City’s stars, McCain consistently punished defensive breakdowns and provided instant scoring support off the perimeter. In Game 1, he scored 12 points while knocking down four of his five attempts from beyond the arc. His efficiency immediately created matchup problems for the Lakers, who struggled to contain Oklahoma City’s spacing and ball movement throughout the series. McCain followed that performance with an even stronger outing in Game 2, finishing with 18 points while shooting 80 percent from three-point range once again. Beyond the shooting numbers, his composure stood out as he confidently attacked playoff defenses without forcing unnecessary shots. As the postseason continues, McCain’s development may become one of the defining storylines of Oklahoma City’s championship pursuit. Holmgren’s early belief in his teammate now appears increasingly justified, and the Thunder are benefiting from another young contributor emerging at exactly the right time.