Julian Champagnie Scores 20 in Game 7, Revisits 76ers Waiver for Mac McClung
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · May 31
Julian Champagnie Scores 20 in Game 7, Revisits 76ers Waiver for Mac McClung
8 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · May 31
20 points and six rebounds from Julian Champagnie helped San Antonio beat Oklahoma City 111-103 in Game 7 and reach the NBA Finals, after which he reflected on Philadelphia cutting him in 2023.
Champagnie said the 76ers waived him "with no warning" after giving him only G League opportunities and two regular-season appearances on a two-way deal, leaving him fearing his NBA career was over.
Philadelphia dropped Champagnie on Feb. 14, 2023 to sign Mac McClung, a move that created roster space but has not translated into a notable NBA return for the 76ers.
San Antonio then gave the Brooklyn native another chance, and his Game 7 breakout now frames the waiver as a turning point in a career that could end with a title.
Why can the G-League’s two-time MVP fail while a waived player becomes a Finals hero?
How did one team's minor roster move create another's unexpected NBA Finals hero?