Jared McCain, who was selected by the 76ers with the 16th overall pick in this year's draft, was taken to the hospital after landing hard on his back while trying to grab a rebound during Wednesday night's preseason game.
The scary moment happened in the final minutes of the game against the Nets. McCain collided with a Brooklyn defender and fell backwards, falling hard on his back as if he had hit his head.
Officials quickly realized what had happened and paused the game so Philadelphia trainers could examine McCain, who was on the floor in pain for several minutes at the Wells Fargo Center.
McCain eventually stood up and was led off the court.
He went to a local hospital in the Dallas area to be tested for a concussion.
“It was tough,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse told reporters. “He's gone to the hospital to get tested. Obviously, he's having trouble breathing there and probably got blown out by the wind. We don't know what's going on there, but… I've never seen anyone like him before. So let's hope he's okay and let's see the reports from the hospital.”
“He's fine,” Kelly Oubre Jr. said. per sixer wire. “It was very scary. He was lucky he caught himself. He didn't fall on his back. Tomorrow he'll feel it. That's kind of what we were telling him. He needs to relax a little bit and be ready to give 100 percent for the opening game.”
McCain has had a strong training camp and has earned praise from members of the organization, including Sixers superstar Joel Embiid.
“Probably our best player is Jared McCain. He's pretty good.” embiid said Early this month. “He competes. He’s tough, he’s competitive;[is] shot maker. He's been shooting the ball very well. Great energy. ”
McCain had nine points and seven rebounds in 23 minutes before the injury.
