Report: Pelicans' CJ McCollum (lung) to return Wednesday

Field Level Media|published: Wed 29th November, 14:25 2023

Nov 4, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) guards Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) during the first half at Smoothie King Center. credits: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum is expected to make his return from a collapsed lung Wednesday night against the Philadelphia 76ers, ESPN reported.

The Pelicans are 5-7 since McCollum suffered a small pneumothorax, a condition that was discovered Nov. 4.

McCollum, 32, participated in the team's morning shootaround and got the green light to play, per the report. He was upgraded to questionable on Tuesday.

McCollum had the pneumothorax in his right lung — the same lung that collapsed in December 2021, when he played for the Portland Trail Blazers.

The shooting guard is in his second full season with the Pelicans after spending his first eight-plus NBA seasons with Portland. In six games this season, he has averaged 21.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game.

—Field Level Media