Pelicans’ C.J. McCollum Out With Ankle Injury vs. Jimmy Butler, Heat

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New Orleans Pelicans guard C.J. McCollum will not return to Friday’s game against the Miami Heat due to a left ankle injury.

McCollum left the game with 5:38 remaining in the second quarter.

He had recorded two points on 1-of-7 shooting prior to exiting, while adding two rebounds, an assist and a block in 15 minutes.

Jose Alvarado started the second half in McCollum’s place.

McCollum averaged 19.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists through 42 starts heading into Friday’s contest.

His early exit was a disappointment for a Pelicans team looking for McCollum to increase his production in order to make up for a missing Brandon Ingram, who was sidelined by illness for the second straight game Friday night.

McCollum stepped up Thursday in Ingram’s absence to record 28 points on 11-of-22 shooting, alongside six rebounds and six assists, to help the Pelicans defeat the Houston Rockets.

Without two of their top three scorers, the Pelicans will lean on Zion Williamson to drive the team’s production. Williamson has been sidelined for 11 games throughout the season but was available Friday night to face down Jimmy Butler and the Heat.

This is not the first time this season the Pelicans have lost McCollum to injury. The veteran guard missed 12 consecutive games in November after being diagnosed with a collapsed lung, and was also sidelined for one game on Jan. 13 due to a right ankle sprain.

Alvarado will likely continue to see increased minutes if McCollum misses extended time.

The Pelicans will hope both McCollum and Ingram return to the lineup soon. Heading into Friday, the Pelicans held a 34-22 record and are hoping to avoid the play-in round on their way to this year’s playoffs.