Jared McCain Hypes Thunder-Nuggets Matchup as NBA 'Playoff Game' Atmosphere in Video

Three weeks after being acquired by the Oklahoma City Thunder prior to the trade deadline, Jared McCain enjoyed the intense atmosphere at Paycom Center on Friday night as the defending NBA champs defeated the Denver Nuggets.

Speaking to reporters after OKC's 127-121 overtime victory, McCain hyped the matchup of Western Conference powers as feeling like a "playoff game."

There was certainly a high level of intensity throughout the game. One moment in the fourth quarter saw players from both teams get involved in a pull-apart after Nikola Jokić took exception to a flagrant-2 foul from Lu Dort.

Nuggets-Thunder Full Highlights

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McCain, a first-round pick in the 2024 draft, was dealt from the Philadelphia 76ers to Oklahoma City on Feb. 4 in a surprise move. The 22-year-old is thriving with his new team, averaging 11.9 points on 45.9 percent three-point shooting in nine appearances off the bench.

Friday's game was one of McCain's best performances with the Thunder. He put up 14 points in 19 minutes, including eight points in the fourth quarter to help Oklahoma City overcome a six-point deficit that forced overtime.

This was a matchup featuring arguably the two favorites in the Western Conference when they are healthy. Oklahoma City got an added boost with the return of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 36 points in his first game since Feb. 3.

The Thunder won a thrilling seven-game series in the Western Conference semifinals against Denver last season en route to winning the NBA title. They have won their first two head-to-head matchups so far this season, with two more remaining on March 9 and April 10.