The rookie Jared McCain of the Philadelphia 76ers is sidelined for the remainder of the season due to surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee, performed last month.

At just 20 years old, McCain was selected as the 2024 first-round draft pick after a season with Duke. He had been remarkable, averaging 15.3 points across 23 games, becoming a crowd favorite, notably for his nearly 5 million followers on TikTok.

He received accolades as the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for November. However, he experienced knee discomfort following a game against Indiana on December 13.

McCain stood out for the Sixers, notably scoring a career-high of 34 points against Cleveland in mid-November, with eight games wherein he scored 20 or more points this season.

Injuries to key players like Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George—the team’s so-called ‘Big Three’—have hindered their performance, with the team struggling to a 15-20 record.

Additional absences include Embiid (left foot sprain), Andre Drummond (left toe sprain), Kyle Lowry (right hip strain), and KJ Martin (left foot), all ruled out for their upcoming game against New Orleans. George’s status is uncertain due to tightness in his groin.