On Friday night, Jared McCain shouldered the load off the bench for the OKC Thunder in their commanding 123-108 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. The sophomore's 24 points marked a new postseason high.
It may have taken him two full playoff series and three games into the Western Conference Finals, but McCain has seemingly cemented himself in coach Mark Daingeault's regular rotation for good.
His minutes, however, have come at the expense of fellow guard Isaiah Joe, who was once thought to be OKC's treasured go-to perimeter sharpshooter just a few short months ago.
The two three-point specialists have flip-flopped minutes since the Thunder's series against the Suns, where McCain played eight minutes or less in three of the four games. Joe, on the other hand, played at least 15 minutes in two of his three games played.
Against the Lakers, the two split time. Joe averaged 11.3 minutes while McCain narrowly eclipsed him at 14.8.
Now, in a heavyweight bout with the Spurs, McCain has the role in a stranglehold.
His 27 minutes in Game 3 highlight what's been a series in which he has been featured heavily in the offense. He's taken a total of 41 shots as a result of heavy double teams seen by teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and he has made San Antonio pay the price.
Meanwhile, Joe has played 10 and nine minutes, respectively, after not seeing the floor in Game 1.
Thunder tipping their hand with Isaiah Joe's minimized role
After being traded to Oklahoma City in early February, questions arose about what McCain's role would look like within a loaded Thunder rotation.
It was about that same time when Isaiah Joe began to tear up the league. SGA sat for an extended period of time due to an abdominal strain, and the veteran three-point shooter became the focal point of the offense.
Both he and McCain became so heavily involved that many wondered whether having both of them on the floor together presented a unique advantage against opposing defenses.
But now that the games mean more than ever, coach Daigneault has made it clear which of the two specialists he prefers, and it doesn't appear to be changing anytime soon.
In the dwindling minutes of a 15-point Game 3, Joe came in with the reserves to kill time. He logged another two minutes and registered an assist, but his new role in the cleanup crew can't bode well for his future with the team.
Though his contract isn't up until the 2027-28 season, it's one that's far from immovable, and an offseason trade could easily be in order.
Thanks to Jared McCain's stellar (and significantly cheaper) play, there seems to be no room for the once-coveted sharpshooter who helped the Thunder hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy a season ago.
McCain and the Thunder will look to build off of an emphatic Game 3 performance on Sunday night, where they will be chasing a third victory over the Spurs on the road on Sunday evening.
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