Pelicans' CJ McCollum Suffering From Scary Sounding Health Problem

The New Orleans Pelicans will be without guard CJ McCollum while he undergoes additional testing after being diagnosed with a small collapsed right lung. 

Pelicans say CJ McCollum has been diagnosed with a small collapsed right lung. He will undergo additional examination in the next 48 hours to determine the progress of healing.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 5, 2023

The official diagnosis is a “small pneumothorax” in his lung. According to NBA Insider Shams Charania, McCollum will continue to be medically evaluated over the next 48 hours. 

The 32-year-old McCollum last played Saturday night for the Pelicans, playing 33 minutes and scoring 13 points while adding six assists and three blocks. He played 35 minutes and scored 33 points in Thursday night's win over the Detroit Pistons. 

The Pels have also been without Trey Murphy and Jose Alvarado this season, sidelined due to injuries. Add in McCollum's absence and they will have some serious spacing issues as Murphy and CJ are the team's top two shooters from beyond the arc. 

In addition, their point guard depth is being seriously challenged; with McCollum and Alvarado out, the only other healthy point guards on the roster are the very inexperienced Dyson Daniels and Kira Lewis. 

Expect Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson to take up a bit more of the ballhandling until McCollum and/or Alvarado are healthy again. 

McCollum has posted averages of 21.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game on 38% shooting from long range thus far in 2023-24. 

Photo: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports