If McCain's return is a possibility for the playoffs in April — four months from now? That might be an issue for the Sixers, as they are trying to climb out of an embarrassingly deep hole to become playoff relevant again.

After rocketing off to an incredible rookie campaign, hitting 3s open and contested, repositioning himself like a mini-Steph Curry, and providing some additional pop as a pesky defender and secondary passer, McCain's season has presumably come to an end, with a return come playoff time dashed until a team official says otherwise.

Nick Nurse is “very optimistic” about Jared McCain’s meniscus surgery on Tuesday along with his recovery. But the 76ers coach added that McCain is “obviously still trying to come to grips with” the outstanding start to his rookie season being derailed by the serious injury.