Former USC Trojan point guard Jordan McLaughlin has not heard his name called much this postseason for the San Antonio Spurs. In Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, that changed. The Spurs have been without De’Aaron Fox for two games now, and they suffered yet another injury to their guard depth with Dylan Harper exiting Game 2. That opened the door for McLaughlin to finally see real minutes.
McLaughlin is no stranger to NBA playoff basketball, as he was a part of 3 Minnesota Timberwolves playoff runs from 2021 to 2023. In the 2021 playoffs, Minnesota McLaughlin averaged 16 minutes a game and posted 6 points per game while shooting 57% from 3. He has experience under his belt, but the Western Conference Finals are a whole different level of intensity. Game 1 of this series showed that as it went into double overtime.
McLaughlin, in his short 7-minute stint in Game 2, posted up 6 points, got a rebound, and an assist. McLaughlin is a true professional, and he was able to be a key contributor once his name got called.
With Dylan Harper and De’Aaron Fox both battling injuries, McLaughlin will be looked at to become more involved in this series. If the Spurs want to regain the momentum they had after Game 1, they will need to take care of business in Game 3 at home. McLaughlin will have to shine in his limited minutes to cover up the big hole the Spurs now have. McLaughlin gave confidence he can do just that, but in Game 3 the expectations will be even higher.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Spurs need Jordan McLaughlin to step up vs Thunder with depth lacking