McCollum reveals surprising candidness about his brief Wizards tenure, emphasizing professionalism over lingering sentiment after his Atlanta Hawks win.
Most players who spend time with an NBA franchise, even briefly, walk away with some emotional attachment. CJ McCollum doesn't see it that way when it comes to the Washington Wizards.
The 34-year-old guard was straightforward after Atlanta's 126-96 blowout of the Wizards on Thursday, saying he doesn't carry many lasting memories from his time in the nation's capital. His stay was short, the circumstances were transitional, and he never expected it to be anything more than that. Both sides have moved on, and he's fine with that.
McCollum finished with 25 points on 9-of-19 shooting, joining Corey Kispert — who torched Washington for a career-high 33 — to give Atlanta 58 combined points from two players the Wizards traded away last month. The duo, both acquired in the deal that sent Trae Young to Washington, each scored 22 points in the first half alone as the Hawks built a 76-56 lead at the break and never looked back. It was Atlanta's second wire-to-wire win over the Wizards in three days and its third straight victory overall.
He didn't need long to put it in perspective.
"It was just another game," McCollum said. "I was there for 120 days, but it was a great time. I enjoyed my time there. The organization was great to me. Staff was great, front office, players, but I've moved on, and I think they've moved on too, and wish them nothing but the best. But just another game that we needed to win.
For a veteran in his 13th NBA season, that's not a cold take — it's just how the league works.
The win came without Jalen Johnson, Atlanta's leading scorer, who sat out with a left hip flexor injury, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the team's second-leading scorer, who was sidelined with a left ankle sprain. Both were hurt in Tuesday's game against Washington and are not expected to miss extended time.
Through 21 games in Atlanta, McCollum is averaging 18.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 44.9% from the field and 35.3% from 3-point range. He has posted a plus-minus of plus-48, the strongest mark on the roster.
The Hawks need him for more than the numbers, though. With a young core built around Dyson Daniels, Jonathan Kuminga, and Jalen Johnson, Atlanta is counting on McCollum to steady the offense in tight moments and help younger players handle the pressure of a playoff race.
At 30-31, the Hawks are right in the thick of the Eastern Conference standings. McCollum's experience alongside that young talent gives Atlanta a combination that other teams in the hunt may be underestimating heading into the stretch run.