By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
CJ McCollum suffered a collapsed right lung, the New Orleans Pelicans announced on Sunday.
Per the press release: “The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that guard CJ McCollum has been diagnosed with small pneumothorax in his right lung after medical imaging was taken this morning. Additional examination will be performed in the next 48 hours to determine the progress of healing. More information will be provided following examination.”
McCollum, 32, launching his 11th campaign in the NBA was met with productive displays. He averaged 21.7 points behind 44% from the field, 5.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks per contest. Starting all six games so far, he lifted the Pelicans to a 4-2 start in the 2023-24 Regular Season.
The Pelicans are no strangers to injury concerns to key players over recent seasons. However, possibly missing the experienced point guard in multiple games would certainly create difficulties. A three-game road trip follows on the schedule, sending the team against the Denver Nuggets on Monday, the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, and the Houston Rockets on Friday.
The younger brother of Pinar Karsiyaka’s Errick McCollum played for the Portland Trail Blazers from 2013 to 2022, before getting traded to the Pelicans midway through the 2021-22 season. Later signing a contract extension, he committed until the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
Selected with the tenth overall pick of the 2013 NBA draft, his career stretches to 734 games played, including 63 in the Playoffs.
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