Oklahoma City Thunder's young player Jared McCain broke his playoff career record by scoring 24 points in the 3rd game of the Western Conference Finals. Before the game, McCain mentally prepared himself by rereading the 'rose analogy' from W. Timothy Gallwey's book 'The Inner Game of Tennis,' which he never parted with. This passage in the book stands out as a source of motivation supporting McCain's confidence and performance on the court. The 22-year-old player contributed significantly to his team's 123-108 victory by playing fearlessly throughout the game. With 6 minutes and 36 seconds left in the third quarter, McCain showed his courage by passing the key defensive player Victor Wembanyama. Despite being in his second season, McCain's courage and self-confidence on the court were also praised by his coach Mark Daigneault. McCain's coach Shea Frazee stated that the player's skill, which he called the 'key to performance,' helps him stay focused and fired up during competition. McCain's performance this season draws attention with his rise after injury and effective play in the playoffs.