76ers guard Jared McCain tears ligament in thumb in workout

Field Level Media|published: 09/25/2025, 4:37pm EDT

Dec 4, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain (20) looks on during the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain tore the UCL in his right thumb on Thursday at an offseason workout, the team announced in a setback to the second-year player's recovery from a meniscus tear.

The 76ers and McCain are consulting with specialists on the next steps in treatment, the team said.

Earlier this month, McCain, 21, said he planned to be ready for training camp, which begins Saturday, but he had yet to receive clearance from the 76ers to be able to practice in full.

McCain, the 16th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft out of Duke, received an NBA Rookie of the Year vote despite playing in just 23 games (eight starts) before his knee injury required season-ending surgery.

He was averaging 15.3 points per game on 46 percent shooting, including 38.3 percent from distance, when he was injured Dec. 13, 2024, against Indiana. McCain also recorded 2.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds per contest last season.

Philadelphia, which is coming off an injury-marred 24-58 campaign, opens the new season Oct. 22 at the Boston Celtics.

The 76ers could turn to rookie VJ Edgecombe, the third overall pick of the 2025 draft out of Baylor, or fifth-year guard Quentin Grimes, a restricted free agent who remains unsigned.

--Field Level Media