Jared McCain Reveals What Mason Plumlee Told Him After Hard Foul in Thunder's G5 Win vs. Spurs

There didn't seem to be a lot of Duke love between fellow Blue Devils when San Antonio Spurs big man Mason Plumlee fouled Jared McCain hard late in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 127-114 victory in Tuesday's Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.

"That was crazy. I didn't expect it, obviously," McCain said in a postgame interview. "We were at the free-throw line, too, and I was like, 'Why'd you do that man?' I'm just asking him questions, and he was like, 'I've got another one for you, too.' … It's all in competition, so gotta respect it."

Plumlee played just two minutes in garbage time with the game well in hand for OKC, which made the hard foul all the more notable since the outcome wasn't hanging in the balance.

The Spurs didn't have much luck slowing McCain during the game, as the second-year guard finished with 20 points in his first career playoff start. It was the second time this series the guard has reached the 20-point mark, as he poured in 24 points during his team's Game 3 win.

Spurs-Thunder Highlights

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McCain's contributions in this series have been massive for the Thunder with both Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell dealing with injuries. They were both sidelined Tuesday, which cleared the way for McCain to start and provide important secondary support for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Oklahoma City acquired him via trade from the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this season in a move that will be praised for years to come if he helps his new team win a second consecutive championship.

Perhaps the Spurs were looking to bring a bit of physicality at the end of Game 5 to help set the tone for Thursday's Game 6 with the Plumlee foul, as nothing else worked on the defensive end.

Alex Caruso provided a spark off the bench with 22 points, while Gilgeous-Alexander spearheaded the effort as he so often does with 32 points and nine assists.

The Thunder are one win away from the NBA Finals as a result and will head to San Antonio with a 3-2 lead.