CJ McCollum Returns to Portland

FormerPortland Trail Blazersscoring star CJ McCollum is set to make his on-court return to Portland when theNew Orleans Pelicansface the Blazers tonight at 7:00 PM, Pacific. But as Nick Krupke of Portland’s KPTV is sharing on Twitter, basketball is only half of the reunion. McCollum is also visiting his family, his pets, and his house for the first time since the Blazers traded him on February 8th of this year.

Ina series of tweets,Krupke chronicles the joys of McCollum’s return via text and video.

Krupke quotes McCollum:

Welcome home, for one night,@CJMcCollum@PelicansNBAvs.@trailblazers

“When you show love, you get it back ten-fold and that’s how it’s been for me.”

He also relays the happy reunion at home:

McCollum昨晚睡在自己的床上,看到his pup Fiona for the first time since the trade.

McCollum has averaged 25.9 points per game on 50.1% shooting, 38.4% from the arc over 19 games with the Pelicans, adding 6.5 assists and 4.9 rebounds. The Pelicans have gone 9-10 with McCollum in the lineup and are currently battling with theLos Angeles LakersandSan Antonio Spursfor the 9th and 10th positions in the Western Conference. Unless things change radically, two of those three teams will clinch spots in the Play-In Tournament for the 2022NBA Playoffswhile one will be left on the outside.