Jared McCain was the front-runner to win Rookie of the Year prior to the injury, averaging 15.3 points, 2.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds.

Jared McCain had cleared concussion protocol. But when he returned to a Dec. 13 game against the Indiana Pacers and began guarding Pascal Siakam, the 76ers rookie guard felt the pain in his left knee.

Now and then Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Center, as Jared McCain sat at the podium before his 76ers downed the Los Angeles Lakers, the infectious energy that defined the rookie guard shined.