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New acquisition Jared McCain scores 21 as the Thunder beat the Nets 105-86

New acquisition Jared McCain scores 21 as the Thunder beat the Nets 105-86 | iNFOnews.ca
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain reacts after making a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Jared McCain scored a season-high 21 points and the short-handed Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Brooklyn Nets 105-86 on Friday night.

McCain, the former Philadelphia 76er the Thunder acquired in a trade this month, posted his highest points total in five games with Oklahoma City. He made 7 of 12 field goals and 3 of 6 3-pointers in a reserve role.

The Thunder have several players dealing with injuries, including reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal strain) and 2025 All-Star Jalen Williams (strained right hamstring). Both are to be re-evaluated in the coming weeks.

Oklahoma City compensated with balanced scoring. Chet Holmgren scored 15 points, Isaiah Joe had 11 and Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort each added 10.

Michael Porter Jr. had 22 points and nine rebounds, and Nolan Traore added 17 points for the Nets. Brooklyn shot just 36.7% from the field in its third straight loss.

Oklahoma City trailed 23-21 at the end of the first quarter, but took control early in the second and broke out to a 38-26 lead. Brooklyn went the first 8 1/2 minutes of the second quarter without a field goal.

Dort was fouled on a made 3-pointer with 2:18 left in the second quarter. He made the free throw to put the Thunder up 43-30.

Oklahoma City led 50-33 at halftime after holding the Nets to 3-for-17 shooting in the second quarter. It was the lowest-scoring half the Thunder have allowed this season, and the 10 points for Brooklyn were a low for an Oklahoma City opponent.

Thunder guard Nikola Topic, who recently made his NBA debut after undergoing treatment for testicular cancer, hit a 3-pointer and a finger roll during a 7-3 run that gave the Thunder an 86-70 lead.

Up next

Nets: At Atlanta on Sunday.

Thunder: Host Cleveland on Sunday.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

New acquisition Jared McCain scores 21 as the Thunder beat the Nets 105-86 | iNFOnews.ca
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain (3) looks to score between Brooklyn Nets forwards Jalen Wilson, left, and Danny Wolf, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
New acquisition Jared McCain scores 21 as the Thunder beat the Nets 105-86 | iNFOnews.ca
Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) dunks as Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, right, Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7), Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins, second from left, and Nets guard Egor Demin, left, look on during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
New acquisition Jared McCain scores 21 as the Thunder beat the Nets 105-86 | iNFOnews.ca
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. (17) looks to shoot over Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
New acquisition Jared McCain scores 21 as the Thunder beat the Nets 105-86 | iNFOnews.ca
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr., left, Nets forward Danny Wolf, right, and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) try to grab a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

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The Associated Press

Cliff Brunt

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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