Jared McCain is day-to-day with a rest issue and will not start Oklahoma City's preseason game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. The Thunder play Monday at the Atlanta Hawks first, and McCain's open slot in the backcourt rotation is unresolved heading into both games.
What happened
Jared McCain appeared on the Thunder's injury report Saturday, Oct. 10 at 3:28 p.m. ET, listed as day-to-day with a rest issue and no previous status on record. Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports McCain will not start Wednesday's preseason game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The report lists an expected return date of Oct. 13, a day before that game against the Bucks. No further detail on the rest issue is announced.
What it means for the Thunder
Oklahoma City's next game is Monday at the Atlanta Hawks, ahead of Wednesday's preseason meeting with the Bucks where McCain is set to miss his start. Last season McCain averaged 8.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 17.3 minutes across 67 games. With him out of the starting backcourt, guards such as Ajay Mitchell (25.8 minutes, 13.6 points) and Aaron Wiggins (21.8 minutes, 9.4 points) are part of the rotation available to absorb minutes. The Thunder have not played a regular-season game yet, so there is no record with or without McCain to cite this season.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether McCain's rest day clears in time for Wednesday or extends past it. His expected return is listed as Oct. 13, a day ahead of the Bucks game. Oklahoma City plays at the Hawks on Monday and hosts the Bucks on Wednesday, both preseason tests of the rotation while McCain's status is sorted out.
Is Jared McCain playing against the Bucks on Wednesday?
He will not start. McCain is day-to-day with a rest issue, and Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports he won't start Wednesday's preseason game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Whether he plays off the bench is not announced.
When will Jared McCain be back?
The injury report lists an expected return date of Oct. 13. No further timeline is announced.