The New Orleans Pelicans could be without CJ McCollum after he was diagnosed with a collapsed lung.
McCollum has enjoyed a strong start to the season, averaging 21.7 points, 5.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 with the team off to a 4-2 start.
How long could the Pelicans be without McCollum? Here’s the latest news on his injury.
MORE: NBA In-Season Tournament, explained: Format, schedule and more
What is CJ McCollum’s injury?
McCollum has been listed on the injury report with a ‘small pneumothorax’ in his right lung after imaging was performed on Sunday morning.
According to Mayo Clinic, a “pneumothorax occurs when air leaks into the space between your lung and chest wall. This air pushes on the outside of your lung and makes it collapse. A pneumothorax can be a complete lung collapse or a collapse of only a portion of the lung.”
McCollum played 33 minutes in the Pelicans’ last outing against the Atlanta Hawks, finishing with 13 points and six assists on 5-of-12 shooting from the field.
How long will CJ McCollum be out?
Per the Pelicans, “additional examination will be performed in the next 48 hours to determine the progress of healing.”
It’s unclear how much time McCollum may miss at this stage.
This is the second time in his career he has dealt with pneumothorax. In 2021, while playing for the Portland Trail Blazers, he missed 18 games, just three weeks prior to being traded to New Orleans.
The Pelicans will play their next three games on the road, with their upcoming schedule including two In-Season Tournament games against the Rockets and Mavericks.
Here are the next five games on New Orleans’ regular-season schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Nov. 6 | at Nuggets | 9 p.m. | — |
| Nov. 8 | at Timberwolves | 8 p.m. | — |
| Nov. 10 | at Rockets | 8 p.m. | — |
| Nov. 12 | vs. Mavericks | 7 p.m. | — |
| Nov. 14 | vs. Mavericks | 8 p.m. | — |
CJ McCollum career stats
- 19.4 points per game
- 3.6 rebounds per game
- 3.7 assists per game
- 0.9 steals per game
- 0.4 blocks per game
- 1.8 turnovers per game
- 45.3 percent field goal shooting
- 39.5 percent 3-point shooting
- 80.3 percent free throw shooting