Ajay Mitchell’s ankle sprain has taken him out of Wednesday’s rematch with the Portland Trail Blazers, and that leaves Oklahoma City without its No. 2 scoring option behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
That opens the door even wider for Jared McCain, who looks like he’s shaking off his early-season slump at exactly the right moment.
McCain’s first eight games of the 2026-27 season were rough by any standard. He was putting up just 10.1 points per game while shooting 33.7 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from three. Over his last three outings, though, the 22-year-old has looked like a different player.
In 27.7 minutes a night during that stretch, McCain has averaged 20.3 points and 4.3 rebounds while hitting 63.9 percent of his shots overall and 47.4 percent from deep. That kind of turnaround matters even more now with Oklahoma City shorthanded.
The Thunder are already dealing with injuries to Jalen Williams (ankle), Cason Wallace (shoulder), Chet Holmgren (knee), and now Mitchell. Even so, McCain’s recent surge gives them a real chance to avoid back-to-back losses on the second night of a back-to-back against Portland. Oklahoma City hasn’t lost consecutive games since the end of last season, and during the entire 2025-26 campaign it only happened five times.
McCain also gave the Thunder a preview of what he can do against this opponent on Tuesday night, even in a blowout loss that marked the team’s third of the year. In his fifth start of the season, he scored 21 points, trailing only Gilgeous-Alexander’s 26, while making four of seven from three and shooting 50.0 percent overall.
He did damage in a few different ways, too. McCain worked off the ball for clean catch-and-shoot looks, attacked the defense with the ball in his hands, finished at the rim, and even delivered a highlight-reel pass. It was the kind of all-around offensive showing that reminds you how dangerous he can be when the shot is falling.
The encouraging part for Oklahoma City is that he did it against the same Portland team while functioning as the Thunder’s third option. With Mitchell out Wednesday, McCain should see a much bigger role. The question now is whether the production keeps climbing with the usage.
In Other News...
Thunder Get Immediate Shot To Answer Portland Without Key Pieces
The Thunder get an immediate chance to reset the tone Wednesday night in Portland, where theyll face the Trail Blazers again at the Moda Center just one day after the teams opened this back-to-back. Oklahoma City is still in the early part of the season, but these quick rematches can say plenty about how a team handles a loss, especially on the road and on short rest.
This one also comes with some lineup uncertainty for Oklahoma City, which adds another layer to a game that already has the feel of a response opportunity. The broadcast details, betting line and projected starters are all in place, but the bigger question is whether the Thunder can bring a cleaner, sharper version of themselves into the second meeting and leave Portland with a different result. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Could Need Nique Clifford Much Sooner Than Expected
Nique Cliffords first look in a Thunder uniform came with the usual rookie hurdles, but there was enough there to leave a positive impression on Mark Daigneault. Even while still getting his arms around the playbook and learning the feel of his new teammates, Clifford showed enough in his debut to suggest Oklahoma City may be able to lean on him sooner than expected if the need arises.
The need may already be forming as the Thunder work through a crowded injury situation, with Ajay Mitchells ankle issue only adding to the pressure on the rotation. If Clifford is asked to take on a bigger role, the timing could matter even more with Jared McCain trending upward offensively and potentially becoming a key piece in the upcoming meetings with the Portland Trail Blazers. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Face One Lineup Question In Crucial Portland Rematch
The Thunders second game in as many nights at the Moda Center brings a familiar kind of test, one shaped as much by attrition as by the opponent. Oklahoma City is back in Portland for a crucial rematch with a roster thinned by injuries, while the Trail Blazers are also navigating their own absences, leaving both teams to adjust on the fly in a game that could hinge on depth and lineup flexibility.
For the Thunder, the biggest question is how they piece together the rotation without several regular contributors available. The absences have opened the door for veteran Alex Caruso to move into the starting lineup, a notable wrinkle for a team trying to keep its footing in a back-to-back setting. With so many moving parts on both sides, the early minutes may say a lot about how Oklahoma City plans to survive this stretch. [Read more 🡒]