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ORLANDO, Fla. — CJ McCollum scored 16 points in his first game back from a collapsed lung as the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Orlando Magic 98-88 on Monday night.
McCollum missed 17 games over six weeks after being injured Dec. 4. The ninth-year pro started Monday but played on a minutes restriction. He made 7 of 13 shots and 2 of 4 3-pointers in 28 minutes.
McCollum’s contributions included scoring Portland’s first and last baskets of the first half as the Blazers led 54-40 at the break.
Even though he missed more than a month of game action, McCollum stayed in close contact with the team and regularly called and texted with first-year coach Chauncey Billups. Billups said the guard had been eager to get back on the floor following his lengthy absence.
“It’s not just good to have him back on the floor; it’s good to have him back around the locker room and around the guys because he’s one of our leaders and he gives us life,” Billups said of McCollum, who averaged 20.6 points prior to the injury.
Billups also said guard Norman Powell should return Wednesday at Miami. Powell has cleared COVID-19 protocols but missed his fifth straight game.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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