Holmgren backs – Chet Holmgren says he saw Jared McCain’s offensive upside well before the postseason talk of a short-lived “Linsanity” surge, pointing to last year’s run before injury. With McCain now producing at a different level for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Western C
Oklahoma City’s postseason depth has drawn plenty of attention. but the Thunder’s rise isn’t just about overall balance.. One of the clearest sparks has been Jared McCain. and the way Chet Holmgren describes his development makes it sound like the story was never really a surprise inside the organization.
Holmgren spoke on McCain’s evolution and made it plain he didn’t buy the idea that McCain’s breakout would fade after looking like another quick “Linsanity”-style run.. “I watched a little bit of his ‘Linsanity’ run last year before he unfortunately got hurt,” Holmgren said.. “I knew he could do more than just shoot… He can pretty much get his shot off.”
That kind of endorsement carries weight coming from one of the league’s defensive anchors, and Holmgren doubled down on what he believed was already there. The message was consistent: the offense wasn’t only about making shots—it was about getting his own.
McCain’s comeback narrative has since grown into one of the most compelling arcs of the 2026 postseason.. Injuries interrupted much of his 2024-25 campaign, leaving lingering questions about whether his rookie explosion was simply a temporary burst.. This season. those doubts have met a different reality as he returned with improved handle creation and advanced shot-making—features that have helped him thrive inside more structured playoff basketball.
The “Linsanity” comparisons that followed him early now feel increasingly out of step with what he’s been doing on the floor. After arriving in Oklahoma City from Philadelphia in a midseason trade, McCain found another gear during the Western Conference Semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers.
In Game 1, he buried Los Angeles with 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting from deep. Game 2 brought a louder response: he scored 18 points on an 80 percent clip from three, turning the matchup into a showcase of shot-making that Holmgren said he believed he could sustain long before this run.
MISRYOUM Sports News Oklahoma City Thunder Chet Holmgren Jared McCain NBA playoffs Western Conference Semifinals Los Angeles Lakers Linsanity