CJ McCollum shined with a spectacular performance on Friday night, tying his career-high with 50 points, leading the New Orleans Pelicans to a 132-120 victory over the Washington Wizards. This win was significant for the Pelicans as it snapped their long and disheartening 11-game losing streak, marking only their second victory out of 22 games this season.
The 33-year-old guard proved to be unstoppable, shooting 18 out of 27 from the field and nailing 10 of 16 from beyond the arc. McCollum made history during the game, becoming just the third player ever to score 50 points with 10 made three-pointers, doing it all within 35 minutes on the court. Only Steph Curry and Klay Thompson share this prestigious record, highlighting the magnitude of McCollum’s achievement.
This game was particularly meaningful not only as McCollum’s second 50-point game of his career—his first being on January 31, 2018, when he played for the Portland Trail Blazers—but also for the Pelicans' spirit as they strive to emerge from the depths of the standings. McCollum wasted no time at all, sprinting out of the gate with eight points within the first three minutes, ensuring New Orleans established the early momentum.
The Pelicans took the lead early, with McCollum scoring quickly and decisively, igniting the crowd at the Smoothie King Center. New Orleans jumped to a 13-4 lead at the start, and their confidence only grew from there. Midway through the game at the end of the third quarter, McCollum contributed to another surge as New Orleans outscored Washington 17-4, bringing the score to 79-72.
Despite Washington's fierce competition, led by their own standout Jordan Poole, who scored 26 points, the Pelicans' determination shone through. Rookie standout Yves Missi also made his mark with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Aside from McCollum, Trey Murphy III was highly effective, chipping in 17 points and helping create the necessary spacing on the court for McCollum's explosive game.
McCollum later spoke about his achievement and the effort it took to reach this moment: "It's great to score 50 and hit three-pointers, but I work so hard and sacrifice so much time. I go to the gym at night.... I miss a lot of time from my family putting time to the game. When you have success, you feel it's not all for not." His words spoke to the commitment it takes not only to succeed personally but also to lift the struggling Pelicans.
Hopes have hung on McCollum's performance since he was traded from the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2022 season, with the expectation he'd lead the team alongside injured stars Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. The injuries have plagued the Pelicans severely, keeping them rooted at the bottom of the league standings. Yet, McCollum's consistent scoring, averaging 22.7 points per game this season, shows his resolve even amid adversity.
Even with McCollum’s stellar night, the game was competitive, with both teams feelin' the heat as score changes racked up throughout the match. A key moment occurred when McCollum thought he had tied the franchise record for three-pointers made, only to have officials determine late he had stepped on the line, reducing his final tally—eliciting mixed feelings from the crowd and McCollum himself.
On the opposing side, Wizards rookie Alexandre Sarr, who scored 19 points, continues to impress early in his career. Both Sarr and Missi exhibit the talents and potential to draw the focus back to their respective franchises, demonstrating the next generation of NBA athletes. Sarr and Missi were both recognized with the Player of the Month title last December for rookies.
Despite the Wizards' attempts to turn the tide, they too had struggles, committing 21 turnovers against New Orleans’ eight. This struggle to efficiently handle the ball contributed significantly to their downfall, enabling the Pelicans to capitalize and transition well. The Pelicans even scored 32 points off the Wizards' errors, which proved pivotal as they outperformed their opponents.
Coming out of this matchup with newfound energy, the Pelicans will look to maintain their momentum on Sunday when they face the Wizards again, this time on their turf. The spotlight remains firmly on McCollum and whether he can summon another stellar performance to lead his team out of the mire and push for improved standings.
With the recent breaking of the losing streak and McCollum’s explosive display, one cannot help but wonder if the Pelicans are finding their rhythm just as the season enters its peak.