CJ McCollum is not considering this a lost season for the struggling New Orleans Pelicans. On Friday night, the Pelicans will visit the Memphis Grizzlies, with McCollum coming off his second 45-plus-point performance this month. In Monday’s 123-119 overtime win against the Utah Jazz, McCollum’s 45 points helped the Pelicans achieve the largest comeback in franchise history.
Trailing by 25 points, the Pelicans rallied, primarily due to McCollum’s efforts, securing their fourth consecutive win and seventh in the last 10 games. It has been an incredible midseason turnaround for New Orleans, who have endured a 12-32 record while dealing with a spate of key injuries and illnesses.
Throughout these challenges, McCollum has remained resolute and productive, with the overtime win over Utah being the latest example. In his 12th NBA season, McCollum is averaging 22.4 points per game and has averaged 20 or more points in each of the past nine seasons.
McCollum scored 50 points on January 3 against the Washington Wizards, stepping up offensively while Zion Williamson (left hamstring) and Brandon Ingram (left ankle sprain) were sidelined. Although Williamson recently returned, he has missed 34 of the team’s 44 games, including the win over the Jazz due to a non-COVID illness. Ingram has missed 20 consecutive games. Remarkably, McCollum has managed to avoid significant injuries throughout his career.
New Orleans had its home game against the Milwaukee Bucks postponed on Wednesday due to a historic snowfall of 10 inches in the Crescent City.
In Memphis, the Pelicans will face a team that is also on a hot streak. The Grizzlies secured their fourth straight win—and fifth in six games—with a 132-120 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.
Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies, recording his sixth consecutive game with 20 or more points, scoring 24 along with eight assists. Reserve Luke Kennard had a season-high 23 points, including 18 in a first half in which Memphis built a 30-point lead (78-48). Ja Morant added 16 points and 13 assists.
Despite the recent success, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins expressed disappointment that the team, which led by 35 points midway through the third quarter, failed to maintain pressure throughout the game.
