McCollum underwent surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right thumb Tuesday.
McCollum played 75 games during the 2022-23 campaign, his highest mark since 2017-18. He was a solid contributor during his first full season with the Pelicans, averaging 20.9 points, 5.7 assists and 4.4 rebounds in 35.3 minutes per game. However, Oklahoma City eliminated the Pelicans during the Play-In Tournament, and the 31-year-old required a procedure to address his thumb injury. He's also dealing with a torn labrum in his right shoulder but won't need surgery for that issue and will instead focus on stabilization and strengthening during the offseason. Despite his pair of ailments, he's expected to fully recover in time for the start of training camp ahead of the 2023-24 season.
Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Never cleared for 5-on-5
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Pelicans executive David Griffin said Friday that Williamson (hamstring) was never cleared for 5-on-5 or even full-court 3-on-3 work before the Pelicans' Play-In Matchup against the Thunder, Andrew Lopez of ESPN.com reports.
After a video of Williamson dunking during pre-game warmups went viral, rumors and accusations swirled about the former No. 1 overall pick's willingness to return to the court despite appearing healthy. However, Griffin put those notions to rest by saying the Pelicans hadn't cleared Williamson for full-contact practices, let alone game action, so that's why he wasn't available for the Play-In Game loss. Injuries continue to be the main storyline to start Williamson's career, but when he's been on the court, the Duke product has proven to be an All-NBA talent, posting 26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.1 steals across 29 appearances during the 2022-23 campaign.
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Pelicans' Kira Lewis: Up-and-down season
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Lewis concluded his third season averaging 4.6 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 9.4 minutes per game across 25 appearances.
Lewis started the season in the G League as he made his way back from a knee injury that ended his second season, and he bounced between the G League and New Orleans' main roster throughout the season. The third-year pro had a solid stretch of games in February and March, where he was featured in 18 out of 25 games before falling out of the rotation once again to close the season. Despite flashing some upside, Lewis remains on the fringe of the rotation, and it's hard to see him making his way into a significant role without major changes to the roster.
Pelicans' Garrett Temple: Takes step back in 13th season
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Temple finished his 13th season with averages of 2.0 points, 0.7 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 0.4 steals in 6.5 minutes per game over 25 contests.
Temple faded from the rotation in his second year in New Orleans, typically only seeing the floor in garbage time or when multiple rotation players were battling injuries. The 36-year-old holds more value as a locker-room leader than an on-court contributor at this point in his career. Temple's non-guaranteed $5.4 million salary could make him a candidate to be waived this offseason as the Pelicans look to piece together their roster for next season.
Murphy totaled 21 points (6-16 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 5-5 FT), four rebounds, two assists and one steal across 44 minutes during Wednesday's 123-118 Play-In Tournament loss to Oklahoma City.
The Pelicans would have likely missed the Play-In Tournament without Murphy's contribution this season. Without Zion Williamson (hamstring), the team needed multiple players to take on new roles, and Murphy was a difference-maker throughout. The result was a dramatic spike over his rookie numbers. In his second season with New Orleans, Murphy started 65 games, averaging 14.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists.
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Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Dominant with double-double
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Valanciunas racked up 16 points (7-9 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 18 rebounds and three assists over 30 minutes during Wednesday's 123-118 Play-In Game loss to the Thunder.
Valanciunas took control of the interior in the loss despite suffering a foot injury that forced him to miss three key minutes in the fourth quarter. Valanciunas finished a successful second season with the Pelicans, averaging 14.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game over 79 contests. Valanciunas has now averaged a double-double for four consecutive seasons.
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Pelicans' Brandon Ingram: Does it all in heart-breaking loss
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Ingram contributed 30 points (10-19 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 9-11 FT), six rebounds, seven assists and one block over 38 minutes during Wednesday's 123-118 Play-In Game loss to the Thunder.
After the Pelicans blew a substantial lead, Ingram almost single-handedly carried his team to stay in contention, using his floor-stretching ability to make dynamic plays all over the court. The loss finishes up a successful season despite a rash of injuries that forced him to miss 37 games. Ingram finished with a career-best 24.7 points per game over 45 contests.
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Pelicans' Larry Nance: Will miss Play-In Game
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Nance (ankle) won't be available for Wednesday's Play-In Game against the Thunder.
Though Nance was able to go through practice Tuesday, he was downgraded to out for Wednesday's contest after initially being tabbed questionable. Nance's could allow for one of Jaxson Hayes or Willy Hernangomez to step in as the backup center behind Jonas Valanciunas, though it's possible the Pelicans trot out a streamlined rotation and limit minutes for backup players in a win-or-go-home matchup.
