Historic Performance by C.J. McCollum
On Tuesday night, C.J. McCollum delivered a historic performance for the Washington Wizards, helping lift the team to a much-needed victory. In their NBA Cup matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, McCollum not only scored 46 points but also made a remarkable ten three-pointers, making him the first player in Wizards history to achieve such a feat in a single game. The Wizards triumphed over the Hawks with a score of 132-113, marking their second win of the season and their first in the NBA Cup for 2025.
McCollum’s Journey
McCollum’s journey to this standout moment has been a significant transition. Acquired during the offseason in a deal involving Jordan Poole, the guard now finds himself in Washington after spending the majority of his career—over 8 years—with the Portland Trail Blazers. While with Portland, McCollum was part of a competitive team that reached the Western Conference Finals in 2019, alongside Hall of Famer Damian Lillard. Notably, during his tenure there, the Blazers secured playoff spots in all of McCollum’s eight full seasons, even preceding the NBA’s introduction of the play-in tournament.
Following a brief stint with the New Orleans Pelicans, where he again experienced playoff action, McCollum now faces challenge after challenge in the capital. The Wizards, currently languishing at the bottom of the league with a record of 2-15, appear to be heading toward another season devoid of playoff aspirations. Wizards fans, who have witnessed their team miss the postseason for the past four years, are beginning to worry about a fifth consecutive absence.
Looking Ahead
Despite these struggles, McCollum’s individual performance has been commendable, averaging 18.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game this season. The upcoming game against the Indiana Pacers on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET will be another opportunity for McCollum and the Wizards to build on their latest triumph.
