Thunder’s Mark Daigneault loved seeing Jared McCain ‘chucking up’ shots in Game 1 vs. Lakers

Jared McCain might be the new kid on the block in Oklahoma City, but he’s playing with the confidence of a ten-year vet. In the Oklahoma City Thunder’s dominant 108-90 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Tuesday, the rookie guard proved he isn’t afraid of the bright lights.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault certainly noticed the fearless display. When asked about McCain’s aggressive approach at Paycom Center, Daigneault cracked a smile regarding his mid-season acquisition’s “chucker” mentality.

“Seems like to me. I haven’t known him that long. But he keeps chucking them up there,” Daigneault said following the victory.

For a team that usually preaches calculated efficiency, “chucking” might sound like a critique. However, for this high-octane Thunder squad, it’s a glowing endorsement. McCain provided the ultimate spark off the bench, burying back-to-back triples during a decisive fourth-quarter run that effectively put the game on ice. He finished the night with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from deep, spearheading a bench unit that outscored the Lakers’ reserves 34-15.

McCain’s volume shooting helped mask an uncharacteristically “choppy” night from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The MVP finalist admitted to feeling some rust after an eight-day layoff, finishing with 18 points and a season-high six turnovers. Thankfully for OKC, Chet Holmgren dominated the interior, posting 24 points and 12 rebounds to keep the Lakers at bay.

Los Angeles simply had no answer for the Thunder’s depth. LeBron James paced the visitors with 27 points, but a nightmare 3-of-16 shooting performance from Austin Reaves and a hand injury to Jarred Vanderbilt left the Lakers reeling.

As the series shifts toward Game 2 on Thursday, McCain’s willingness to let it fly gives Daigneault a lethal secondary weapon. If the rookie continues to “chuck” with this kind of confidence, the Lakers face a very short postseason stay.