NEW ORLEANS — In an electrifying display, CJ McCollum delivered a remarkable performance, scoring 45 points that included an array of clutch 3-pointers and acrobatic reverse layups. Dejounte Murray was equally impressive, showcasing his relentless energy on both offense and defense, falling just one rebound shy of a triple-double. Together, they helped the New Orleans Pelicans achieve the largest comeback in the history of the franchise.
Despite facing numerous adversities throughout the season due to injuries and other challenges, the Pelicans displayed immense determination and resilience. “Huge credit to our guys in the locker room pulling together,” Pelicans head coach Willie Green expressed after witnessing his team erase a substantial 25-point deficit against the Utah Jazz to secure a 123-119 win in overtime on Monday night. “This was a hard game to win.”
The season has been rocky for New Orleans with star power forward Zion Williamson sidelined due to a non-COVID illness, missing out on the game against Utah after recently recovering from a left hamstring injury. Over the course of this season, he’s played in only 10 games out of 44. Additionally, their top defender, Herb Jones, is out indefinitely due to a shoulder injury, and Brandon Ingram, a key offensive player, has been absent for 20 consecutive games due to a left ankle sprain. The Pelicans also faced matchup challenges with rookies like 7-foot center Yves Missi missing the second straight game because of illness.
In terms of statistics, Utah dominated in rebounding, outpacing New Orleans 63-45, acquiring 23 second-chance points, and outscoring them 60-40 in the paint. Despite these setbacks, New Orleans (12-32) impressively won four consecutive games and seven of their last ten. “We were missing some guys who rebound the ball well,” acknowledged McCollum. “Sometimes, it’s not Xs and Os. It’s Jimmies and Joes.”
McCollum, who is now in the 12th season of his NBA career, has an impressive scoring average, having reached 45 or more points in two of the last ten games, including a notable performance where he scored 50 against Washington on January 3. “CJ was incredible and once he got going, I thought his teammates did a great job of trying to find him,” praised Green. “We were drawing stuff up for him. He executed offensively over and over again. Without that effort, it’s hard for us to win that game.”
Reflecting on his playing style, McCollum believes his skills will endure through the years. “I ain’t out here dunking on people,” he remarked. “It’s skill. It’s strategy. It’s angles. It’s footwork. It’s a jump shot that never leaves. I’ll be able to shoot when I’m 40.”
Murray, who missed a chunk of the season due to a hand injury, is also finding his rhythm, contributing significantly with 26 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds, and two steals during Monday’s game. “He was super, super aggressive when we needed him to be,” complimented McCollum. Additionally, Trey Murphy III added 24 points, including a crucial 3-pointer late in overtime. Rookie Jordan Hawkins also made his mark, hitting three 3-pointers and finishing with 18 points.
McCollum reflected on the ups and downs of the recent games, noting that one of New Orleans’ three most recent losses was a heartbreaker, coming by just a point in Boston where he missed a last-second attempt for the win. “I don’t take these wins for granted because it took us like two months to get five wins,” he said. “You’ve got to ride the wave and just keep your perspective in check.”
The Pelicans are set to face off against the Milwaukee Bucks next on Wednesday night at home. In the meantime, McCollum looks forward to enjoying a rare day off during an expected snowstorm in south Louisiana. “I hope there’s lots of snow,” he said with excitement, “so I can play in the snow with my son.”
