Pelicans' CJ McCollum had thumb surgery, won't require shoulder surgery

Pelicans guard CJ McCollum underwent successful right thumb surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament, the team announced in a press release.

According to the Pelicans, McCollum consulted with a specialist about the torn labrum in his right shoulder, but that injury will not require surgery. Instead, he will rehab the shoulder in the offseason in order to stabilize and strengthen it.

The 31-year-old is expected to fully recover from both injuries before training camp begins in the fall, per the team.

The news of the thumb surgery was expected, as McCollum previously revealed that it was the most likely outcome. He was playing through the injury for months, but he never seriously considered shutting it down during the season despite the thumb affecting nearly everything he did offensively.

The torn labrum was a more recent development. He reportedly played through it for the final seven games of the 2022-23 regular season and New Orleans’ loss in the play-in tournament.

It was a difficult season for the Pelicans, who were the top seed in the West in mid-December at 18-8 but then went on a 10-game losing streak in January to drop below .500. A late-season surge saw the Pelicans rebound and make the play-in tournament, but they lost their matchup with the Thunder.

Several key players were injured throughout the season, including Brandon Ingram, Herbert Jones, Zion Williamson, Larry Nance Jr., Jose Alvarado and McCollum. The veteran guard described ’22-23 as “the most difficult season I’ve been a part of physically and mentally.”

Despite dealing with the injuries, McCollum managed to play 75 games (35.3 MPG) and averaged over 20 points per game (20.9) for the eighth consecutive season. He also recorded 5.9 APG and 4.4 RPG along with a .437/.389/.769 shooting line.