Thunder's Jared McCain Shines in National TV Showcase vs. Timberwolves

Second-year guard helps OKC extend winning streak to 8 games with clutch shooting performance

Mar. 15, 2026 at 9:19pm

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain continued his strong play since joining the team, scoring 15 points with five 3-pointers to help the Thunder defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-103 in a nationally televised game. McCain's hot shooting in the fourth quarter helped the Thunder pull away, as the team got contributions from multiple players including 20 points from All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Why it matters

The Thunder have now won 8 straight games, cementing their status as one of the top teams in the Western Conference. McCain's ability to provide scoring punch off the bench has been a key factor in the team's recent success, as he has seamlessly integrated into the Thunder's deep and talented roster.

The details

McCain connected on his fourth and fifth 3-pointers in a two-minute span in the fourth quarter, pushing the Thunder's lead to 15 points. He finished the game with 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including 5-of-10 from 3-point range. The Thunder also got strong performances from Isaiah Joe (20 points, 5 threes) and Alex Caruso (17 points) off the bench, while Gilgeous-Alexander recorded his 128th consecutive 20-point game.

  • The Thunder have now won 8 consecutive games.

The players

Jared McCain

A second-year guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder who was acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

An All-Star guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder who recorded his 128th consecutive 20-point game in the win.

Mark Daigneault

The head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who has praised McCain's ability to seamlessly fit into the team's offense.

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What they’re saying

“His ability to shoot. He's a guy that you have to race off the line, which opens up some of those drives. I didn't know his game that well, especially that part of his game — those mid-range plays show off his strength.”

— Mark Daigneault, Thunder Head Coach

What’s next

The Thunder will look to extend their winning streak to 9 games when they host the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night.

The takeaway

Jared McCain's hot shooting has been a key factor in the Thunder's recent surge, as the team's deep roster continues to produce balanced scoring efforts to complement the play of All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.