As Brandon Ingram was the leader of the Pelicans lately, because of numerous injuries (Zion Williamson, Larry Nance Jr, Jose Alvarado) and a CJ McCollum physically diminished, his injury in the middle of a game against the Mavericks was very bad news.
The winger indeed twisted his right ankle in the first half without then coming back in the second. And even if New Orleans still had the controls in the second half and even if Luka Doncic was also touched in the third quarter, in the long run, the Pelicans let go. The Mavericks came back to three points with four minutes remaining.
“It’s the time of the season when all the teams deal with injuries”notes the back of the Pelicans for ESPN. “Here it’s Ingram and Doncic, but everywhere else players are getting injured. This gives an opportunity to young people and the others have to step up a notch. »
Among these players who had to raise their level, there is precisely CJ McCollum, who was less well these last five matches with only 18.8 points on average and low percentages (40% including 21% at 3-pts).
Capital matches are coming for the Pelicans
Still, the former Portland man managed to do just that as he scored 16 straight points in the final quarter, including 13 from when Dallas got back to one possession.
“He put the shots he had to put. He’s the McCollum I know, he was decisive.” notes Trey Murphy III. ” It feels good “, continues the hero of the evening. “I just wanted to win. I put a lot of points and big shots in my career. I do what I can to help the team. It was nice to shoot and it’s always more fun when it comes with a win. »
With this blow of heat, the back finishes with 32 points and the Pelicans are essential against the Texans. An important victory, only the second in the last eight matches, in the race for the “play-in”. Especially since the next three meetings are against direct opponents: the Thunder, the Blazers and the Lakers.
“The only way to make a streak is to win one match after another,” recalls CJ McCollum. “There must be no absences during quarter-time. All matches are going to be tight now because everyone is playing for something. It’s the first time in quite a while that the teams in fifth through thirteenth place still have a real chance. »
| CJ McCollum | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2013-14 | ORP | 38 | 13 | 41.6 | 37.5 | 67.6 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 5.3 |
| 2014-15 | ORP | 62 | 16 | 43.6 | 39.6 | 69.9 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 6.8 |
| 2015-16 | ORP | 80 | 35 | 44.8 | 41.7 | 82.7 | 0.6 | 2.7 | 3.2 | 4.3 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 20.8 |
| 2016-17 | ORP | 80 | 35 | 48.0 | 42.1 | 91.2 | 0.8 | 2.9 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 23.0 |
| 2017-18 | ORP | 81 | 36 | 44.3 | 39.7 | 83.6 | 0.7 | 3.3 | 4.0 | 3.4 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 21.4 |
| 2018-19 | ORP | 70 | 34 | 45.9 | 37.5 | 82.8 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 21.0 |
| 2019-20 | ORP | 70 | 37 | 45.1 | 37.9 | 75.7 | 0.7 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 22.2 |
| 2020-21 | ORP | 47 | 34 | 45.8 | 40.2 | 81.2 | 0.6 | 3.3 | 3.9 | 4.7 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 23.1 |
| 2021-22 * | All Teams | 62 | 35 | 46.0 | 38.8 | 68.2 | 0.9 | 3.5 | 4.3 | 5.1 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 22.1 |
| 2021-22 * | ORP | 36 | 35 | 43.6 | 38.4 | 70.6 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 20.5 |
| 2021-22 * | NOP | 26 | 34 | 49.3 | 39.4 | 66.7 | 0.7 | 3.7 | 4.5 | 5.9 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 2.2 | 0.0 | 24.3 |
| 2022-23 | NOP | 58 | 35 | 43.4 | 37.3 | 79.7 | 0.8 | 3.5 | 4.3 | 5.8 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 21.0 |
| Total | 648 | 32 | 45.3 | 39.4 | 80.9 | 0.7 | 2.9 | 3.5 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 19.4 | |
