Zion's star teammate set to make imminent return

New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Zion Williamson's star teammate set to make imminent return for Pelicans

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 11/27/23

CJ McCollum missed the past 11 games due to a collapsed lung , but the veteran guard is expected to return to the New Orleans Pelicans this week.

The Pelicans have two home games this week, one against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday and another against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday. McCollum will likely return in one of those games, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.

"Sources tell me the Pelicans and CJ McCollum are aiming for his return sometime on their two-game homestand, Wednesday against the 76ers or Friday against the Spurs," Charania said. "McCollum has been sidelined since Nov. 4, due to a small collapse in his lung...This is hopeful news, as New Orleans has won five of their last seven games entering Monday's contest against the Jazz."

Pelicans and CJ McCollum, out since Nov. 4 due to small lung collapse, set a target for his return to action: pic.twitter.com/WS6zouOhwm
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 27, 2023

McCollum made six appearances for the Pelicans before being struck by injury. He was averaging 21.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists, while shooting 44% from the field and 38% from three-point range. Having the veteran guard back in the rotation should provide Zion Williamson with some additional floor spacing and reduce the ball-handling duties that have been on his plate.

Between Brandon Ingram and McCollum, Williamson now has two teammates who can ease the defensive pressure he faces. The Pelicans have been waiting for a healthy stretch with their star trio for what feels like an eternity. Now, they will finally get a chance to see how their star players can gel together and whether they're capable of leading the franchise on a deep postseason run.

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