CJ McCollum did not know what it was like to miss the playoffs until Wednesday night.
The New Orleans Pelicans guard made nine straight trips to the playoffs before the Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated the New Orleans Pelicans in the play-in tournament.
McCollum, who battled a right thumb injury for three months that will require surgery to repair, still managed to play in 75 of 82 games.
The Pelicans’ biggest problem during their frustrating season, McCollum said, was his star teammates’ lack of availability.
Brandon Ingram, who missed 29 consecutive games with a left toe contusion, played in 45 games. Zion Williamson, who never suited up after injuring his right hamstring in January, played in 29 games.
The trio of McCollum, Ingram and Williamson shared the court for 10 games.
“For us to be successful in the future, we have to be able to play together,” McCollum said. “We need our best players on the court. We need to play extensive minutes together, especially in meaningful games and showcase what we have to offer. For us to contend for a championship and contend for a playoff run, that’s what it’s going to take.”
McCollum played with a splint on his right hand for the final three months of the season. He never delved too far into detail on his right thumb injury but said it was a ligament issue. McCollum’s right shoulder was also ailing him in the final few games of the season. McCollum still led the Pelicans in total minutes.
“Throughout my career, I have always been a player to do whatever it takes to help the team,” McCollum said. “I could have taken the easy way out and got surgery and sat and watched. I’m not that type of person. I’m not that type of player. Even though it affected my performance, I just went and competed the best I can. I’m always trying to lead by example.”
The Pelicans looked capable of making a deep playoff run before Williamson got hurt. They were in third place in the Western Conference on Jan. 1. They were one game behind the first-place Denver Nuggets.
Leave a Reply