Sixers coach Nick Nurse evaluates Jared McCain's recent performances

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers are still working on getting second-year guard Jared McCain back up to speed following a long recovery from a torn meniscus in his left knee that cut his rookie season short after just 23 games. He is also working his way back from a torn UCL in his right thumb shortly before camp as he continues to put the work in.

In 25 games in his second season thus far, McCain is averaging 6.9 points and shooting just 32.2% from deep. He shot 38.3% from deep as a rookie, so the dip in 3-point shooting is concerning for the Sixers as he is somebody who was able to provide a spark as a rookie. That's the idea with the young guard out of Duke as he looks to get back to himself.

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After Monday's loss to the Denver Nuggets, coach Nick Nurse gave an evaluation of McCain's performance as of late. He passed up open 3s in the loss to the Nuggets and had an up-and-down turnover as he looked unsure of himself.

"Well, I think he just needs to play more, right?" Nurse simply said after the loss. "Again, 11-plus months off, and just needs to play more. Yeah."

Nurse has a point there. It isn't easy to just have nearly a year off from real basketball activities and then get thrown back in there expecting to be producing at a high level. While McCain has had some struggles on either end of the floor, his work ethic and his shooting form suggest that he's going to break out sooner rather than later. He is going to be a key piece to whatever the Sixers want to do in the 2025-26 season and he has to be able to figure it out as time moves on.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers coach Nick Nurse evaluates Jared McCain's recent performances