NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder win without SGA, McCain delivers in Chicago

No Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. No panic.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, defending champions and top of the West (48-15), walked into Chicago and left with a 116-108 win. And the man at the center of the night? Jared McCain.

20 points. Four threes. Calm. Perfect timing.

McCain steps up, OKC rolls

Shai was rested with an abdominal tweak. Without their MVP, Oklahoma City never lost its cool.

McCain took responsibility from the perimeter. Isaiah Joe added 19. Aaron Wiggins had 18. Jaylin Williams posted a solid double-double with 17 and 16. Cason Wallace scored 17, and Chet Holmgren chipped in 12 and 11.

Jared McCain 20 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 8/15 FG, 4/9 3FG, 66.7% TS vs Bulls https://t.co/zNzvpKI0AA pic.twitter.com/KbkE9bVs6R

— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) March 4, 2026

The Thunder aren’t a one-man show. They’re a system team.

Down 60-59 early in the third, OKC ripped off a 14-3 run sparked by a Holmgren dunk. Then an 8-2 surge in the quarter’s final minutes, capped by a McCain three. By the fourth, the gap was there.

Chicago hangs on… then folds

The Bulls tried to cling on. Collin Sexton scored 20 and pulled Chicago within 112-106 in the last minute.

Collin Sexton beats the first half buzzer on the run 🚨 pic.twitter.com/XGPOZLMmUH

— Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) March 4, 2026

But it wasn’t enough.

Guerschon Yabusele posted a season-high 18 points and 12 rebounds. His third double-double in 11 games since arriving. Physical inside, constant energy.

Josh Giddey flirted with a triple-double — 14 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists. Matas Buzelis left the game after rolling his right ankle.

Chicago, after beating Milwaukee recently, slides back.

A Thunder that oozes depth

Six wins in seven. Still top of the West. And able to win without their leader.

The Thunder travel to New York on Wednesday. The Bulls head to Phoenix.

The takeaway isn’t just the win. It’s confirmation.

McCain isn’t just benefiting from absences. He asserts himself.
And Oklahoma City keeps moving, MVP or not.

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