The Pelicans came back down 25 points and defeated the Jazz, and it was CJ McCollum who made franchise history during the win.

CJ McCollum is not looking at this as a lost season for the struggling New Orleans Pelicans. When the Pelicans play the host Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night, McCollum will be coming off his second 45-plus-point performance this month.

The Pelicans pulled out a win (or was it the Jazz who pulled out a loss?) for their biggest ever comeback. On the Jazz's defense on CJ McCollum, Taylor Hendricks traveling with the team, and Will Hardy's relationship with Washington football coach Dan Quinn.

McCollum has shouldered more of the scoring load in games the Pelicans have been without Zion Williamson. He is averaging 30.6 points in January in the seven games Williamson has missed. McCollum is averaging just 13 points in the four games Williamson also played.

The New Orleans Pelicans relied on their veteran guards in a franchise-record-setting game against the Utah Jazz.

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) shoots a jumper over Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) in the ...

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) shoots a 3-pointer over Utah Jazz guard Svi Mykhailiuk in the ...

New Orleans takes on the Memphis Grizzlies after CJ McCollum scored 45 points in the Pelicans' 123-119 overtime victory over the Utah Jazz.

Utah now continues its road trip against the best in the west, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

CJ McCollum scored 26 points, Zion Williamson had a double-double and the host New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Utah Jazz 136-123 on Friday night.

(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) reacts after making a 3-point basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) New Orleans ...

CJ McCollum scored six of his 45 points in overtime and the New Orleans Pelicans orchestrated the largest comeback in franchise history, overcoming a 25-point deficit to beat Utah Jazz 123-119 on Monday night.