Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Scores season-high 36 points
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McCollum ended with 36 points (14-24 FG, 6-11 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and three assists in 37 minutes during Thursday's 111-109 loss to the Kings.
McCollum carried the Pelicans in the fourth quarter and sparked the team's late comeback attempt, but he fell short. Regardless, this was an excellent showing from the veteran, who eclipsed the 30-point mark for the first time in 2024-25. The injury problems seem to be a thing of the past for McCollum, who's averaging 22.8 points per game in nine appearances since returning to the hardwood in late November due to an adductor injury that caused him to miss 13 games in a row. Now that he's fully healthy, and considering the Pelicans are without Brandon Ingram (ankle) and Zion Williamson (hamstring), expect McCollum's upside and usage rate to skyrocket in the coming contests.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Drops 19 points in loss
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McCollum recorded 19 points (8-18 FG, 3-8 3Pt), four rebounds and five assists across 34 minutes during Sunday's 121-116 loss to the Spurs.
McCollum had a respectable shooting night, but his production regressed as the Pelicans mounted a late rally to grab the lead in the fourth quarter. He sat on the bench during most of the rally, appearing briefly before losing the lead once again. Brandon Ingram (ankle) is expected to miss significant time, which will put more pressure on McCollum to spearhead the offense.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Finishes with 13 points Sunday
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McCollum amassed 13 points (6-16 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds, three assists and one steal in 25 minutes during Sunday's 118-85 loss to New York.
McCollum more or less went down with the ship in Sunday's blowout loss to New York, seeing his minutes held to a season-low 25 after he did not play in the fourth quarter, but he did manage to come away from the rout without a turnover. The 33-year-old star guard has offered a stabilizing presence in an injury-plagued Pelicans lineup when healthy this season, averaging 20.0 points, 3.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.9 three-pointers in 32.3 minutes per game while shooting 44.3 percent from the floor over eight contests. His efficiency may be up and down while New Orleans is without Brandon Ingram (calf) and Zion Williamson (hamstring), but the added usage in the stars' absences should help McCollum remain very productive in the scoring department.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Leads depleted squad in loss
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McCollum totaled 19 points (7-20 FG, 4-11 3Pt, 1-3 FT), three rebounds and four assists across 30 minutes during Wednesday's 119-93 loss to the Raptors.
The 19 points led the Pelicans on the night. McCollum has been hoisting up big volume from beyond the arc in two games since returning from an adductor strain, going 7-for-21 on three-point attempts, and while Dejounte Murray was also back on the court Wednesday, New Orleans is still missing Zion Williamson (hamstring), Brandon Ingram (calf) and other key players. Expect McCollum to continue shouldering a big offensive load until the roster around him gets healthier.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Plays well in return
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McCollum ended Monday's 114-110 loss to the Pacers with 23 points (9-20 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and one assist in 30 minutes.
McCollum returned from a 13-game absence Monday and the Pelicans didn't waste any time by throwing a full workload at him. They didn't really have a choice, as the team has been battered by injuries. Dejounte Murray (hand) is expected back Wednesday, however, and Brandon Ingram (calf) is day-to-day, but McCollum is likely to maintain a significant role for the foreseeable future.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Good to go Monday
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McCollum (adductor) is available for Monday's game against the Pacers, Erin Summers of the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network reports.
McCollum has missed the Pelicans' last 13 games due to a right adductor strain, but he will return Monday for his first outing since Oct. 29. He could see heavy usage on offense right off the bat due to Brandon Ingram (calf) being ruled out.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Upgraded to probable
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McCollum (adductor) has been upgraded to probable for Monday's game against the Pacers, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
McCollum, who hasn't played since Oct. 29, appears on track to return to the floor Monday. The Pelicans have been battered by injuries, so McCollum's expected return will provide the franchise with a big boost. Brandon Ingram (calf) is questionable Monday and the Pelicans are still very shorthanded, so McCollum could see heavy usage in his return.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Upgraded to questionable for Monday
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McCollum (adductor) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Pacers.
McCollum hasn't played since Oct. 29 due to a right adductor strain, though he went through a full-contact practice Saturday. The veteran's tag being upgraded to questionable suggests he is nearing a return to game action, but he will likely remain a game-time decision Monday.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Hopeful to play Monday
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McCollum (thigh) went through a full-contact practice Saturday and hopes to play in Monday's game versus the Pacers, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
McCollum has missed New Orleans' previous 13 games due to a right adductor strain. While the veteran guard's return to practice is a good sign of his availability for Monday's contest, fantasy managers should look out for an official injury report.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Officially ruled out
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McCollum (thigh) won't play in Friday's game versus the Warriors.
McCollum will miss his 13th straight game after being downgraded from doubtful to out Friday due to a right adductor strain. The veteran guard's next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with Indiana.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Unlikely to play Friday
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McCollum (adductor) is listed as doubtful for Friday's game against the Warriors.
McCollum has been sidelined since Oct. 29 due to a right adductor strain, though he has been cleared for practice and five-on-five action. The veteran's tag being upgraded to doubtful suggests a return in the near future. However, in the likely event that he's unable to play in Friday's NBA Cup matchup, Brandon Boston and Elfrid Payton will likely continue to see an uptick in playing time with Brandon Ingram (ankle) and Jordan Hawkins (back) both questionable.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Out again Wednesday
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McCollum (thigh) will not play Wednesday against the Cavaliers.
McCollum will miss his 12th game in a row Wednesday. However, he was able to practice Monday, and it sounds like there is a good chance he will return to action Friday against the Warriors.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Will remain out Tuesday
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McCollum (thigh) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Mavericks.
McCollum is nearing a return to game action, but his absence streak will extend to 11 games Tuesday. The veteran logged a full practice Monday, so it's only a matter of time before he gets the green light, though he'll presumably face heavy restrictions at first. Brandon Boston should continue to see increased playing time until McCollum is cleared to suit up again.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Goes through practice
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McCollum (thigh) was able to go through Monday's practice, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
The Pelicans face the Mavericks on the road Tuesday, but coach Willie Green wasn't ready to disclose McCollum's status. The veteran has missed the past 10 games for the Pelicans, but he's on the verge of a return. There should be more clarity after the Pelicans release their injury report Monday evening.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Remaining sidelined Saturday
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McCollum (thigh) is out for Saturday's game versus the Lakers.
Despite returning to practice earlier this week, McCollum is set to miss his 10th straight game due to a strained right adductor. The veteran guard's next chance to suit up is Tuesday's matchup in Dallas.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: On track for return
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Coach Willie Green said Friday that McCollum (adductor) has started to participate in some three-on-three and five-on-five action, Jim Eichenhofer of the Pelicans' official site reports.
McCollum hasn't played since Oct. 29 due to a right adductor strain, though Green said he is nearing a return to game action while ramping up in on-court activities, according to Eichenhofer. The star guard's presence has been missed in a depleted backcourt without Jordan Hawkins (back), Dejounte Murray (hand), Herbert Jones (shoulder) and Jose Alvarado (hamstring). McCollum's next chance to play will come Saturday against the Lakers, though it is unclear whether he will operate under a minutes restriction with the lengthy list of injuries to the Pelicans.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Sitting again Friday
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McCollum (thigh) won't play Friday against the Pacers.
McCollum was held out of Wednesday's clash due to a right adductor injury, and the issue will force him to miss another game. Look for Jose Alvarado to draw the start at point guard Friday in McCollum's absence.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Unavailable Wednesday
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McCollum is inactive for Wednesday's game against Golden State due to right adductor soreness. He will undergo an MRI for further evaluation.
McCollum will miss his first game of the season after averaging 34.3 minutes throughout New Orleans' first four contests. Herbert Jones (shoulder strain) is also unavailable Wednesday, while Jordan Hawkins (back) is a game-time decision.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Struggles with shot
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McCollum closed Tuesday's 124-106 loss to the Warriors with five points (2-8 FG, 1-4 3Pt), six rebounds, five assists and two blocks over 31 minutes.
This was a nightmare showing for McCollum as the Pelicans were blown out by the Warriors, dropping the team to 2-2 on the season. McCollum had scored at least 20 points in his previous three games, so fantasy managers should chalk this up as an off night for the veteran guard.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Team-leading 27 points vs. Portland
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McCollum logged 27 points (10-21 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 4-6 FT), four rebounds, three assists and four steals over 36 minutes during Sunday's 125-103 loss to the Trail Blazers.
McCollum was the Pelicans' leading scorer Sunday, as no other New Orleans starter scored more than 14 points in the blowout loss. He also logged a game-high four steals, which he has now done in two consecutive games. McCollum has scored 20-plus points in each of the first three games of the regular season, and he will continue to be a focal point in the offense while Dejounte Murray (hand) remains sidelined.
