For the first time in his legendary NBA career, CJ McCollum visited the Moda Center as a visitor. But after a tenure with the Portland Trail Blazers that included 11,203 points, eight postseason appearances, a Most Improved Player award and a trip to the Western Conference Finals, the New Orleans Pelicans guard earned a standing ovation and a cheer Mood both on social media and in the arena.
According to KOIN News’ AJ McCord, the standing ovation reportedly lasted minutes as the Blazers faithful in attendance showed their support for McCollum, who is earning a spot in many of Portland’s all-time leaderboard categories.
Right now, McCollum’s Pelicans (32-43) are aiming for a win over the Blazers to get a better position in the Western Conference play-in standings. They had a one-game lead for 9th place towards tonight’s tip. Separately, the Blazers had a special presentation planned for the long-running Blazer midway through the opening period.
In creating a memorable game and preparing for it, the Blazers-Pelicans game brought a little of everything: a special Q&A with McCollum from Blazers reporter Casey Holdahl, Blazers fans booing an offensive foul call on McCollumand even a sighting with McCollum and former backcourt colleague Damian Lillard.
And as is usual with McCollum, plenty of offensive firepower from the opening point.
McCollum opened the game with 14 points in the first quarter and was preparing for a remarkable performance, though as things stand both teams are bogged down in a very competitive battle, with the Pelicans a slender three-point lead going into the fourth quarter.
For much of the second half, the Blazers — undermanned and largely inexperienced — hung within a basket or two of taking the lead before the Pelicans could pull away. Word is McCollum scored the dagger trident that eventually put the game out of reach.
All in all, it was a successful evening for the former Lehigh grad. His final stat line: 25 points, three rebounds and four assists on 9-of-16 from the field, 3-of-6 from 3-point range and 4-of-8 from the charity streak in 37 minutes. The Pelicans proved victorious in a 117-107 victory.