Pelicans' McCollum back from 12-game absence vs. 76ers

New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum returned to the lineup Wednesday evening against the Philadelphia 76ers after a 12-game absence.

McCollum had been sidelined since Nov. 4 due to a collapsed lung. The 32-year-old missed time in 2021 for the same issue.

The Pelicans went 5-7 during McCollum's absence.

McCollum averaged 21.7 points, 5.7 assists, 4.8 boards, and 1.5 steals over six appearances this season. The Lehigh product was acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers midway through the 2021-22 campaign.

McCollum has primarily started at the point over parts of three seasons in the Big Easy. He inked a two-year, $64-million contract extension with the Pelicans in September 2022.