In a remarkable display of resilience, the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 25-point deficit to achieve their largest comeback victory in franchise history, edging out the Utah Jazz with a score of 123-119 in overtime. Veteran shooting guard CJ McCollum played a pivotal role in this resurgence, contributing an impressive 45 points on 18-of-31 shooting from the field, marking a significant highlight in his 12th season in the NBA.

This performance was particularly noteworthy as it represented the second occasion within the last 10 games that McCollum surpassed the 40-point mark, having previously scored 50 points in a victory against the Washington Wizards on January 3. In a post-game discussion, the 33-year-old expressed confidence in his enduring skills, asserting that he believes his abilities will 'age well' as he looks to maintain a high level of production for years to come.

Having participated in 31 games this season for a Pelicans team grappling with injuries, McCollum is averaging 22.4 points per game, the highest since his average of 24.3 points per game during a brief stint in New Orleans post his trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite the challenges faced by the team, which currently holds the second-worst record in the Western Conference at 12-32, McCollum emphasized the importance of perseverance, stating that he does not take victories for granted and is committed to fostering success for the Pelicans.