{"id":540751,"date":"2026-01-16T14:41:56","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T14:41:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/540751\/"},"modified":"2026-01-16T14:41:56","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T14:41:56","slug":"cj-mccollum-gets-warm-welcome-in-return-to-portland-in-hawks-blazers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/540751\/","title":{"rendered":"CJ McCollum gets warm welcome in return to Portland in Hawks-Blazers"},"content":{"rendered":"

CJ McCollum gets warm welcome in return to Portland in Hawks-Blazers<\/a> appeared first on ClutchPoints<\/a>. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Atlanta Hawks<\/a> guard CJ McCollum was back in his old stomping ground as they visited the Portland Trail Blazers<\/a> at Moda Center on Thursday.<\/p>\n

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McCollum became a star in Rip City after being drafted as the 10th overall pick in 2013. He teamed up with fellow guard Damian Lillard<\/a> to form one of the most lethal backcourts in the NBA, leading the Trail Blazers to multiple appearances in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

He was shipped by Portland to the New Orleans Pelicans in a midseason trade in 2022. It was a heartbreaking ending to his career with the Trail Blazers, but McCollum said he understood the decision, adding that he will still forever be grateful to the city that embraced him.<\/p>\n

He remains beloved in Portland, as proven by the fans\u2019 standing ovation<\/a> when he entered the game against his former team at the 6:25 mark of the first quarter.<\/p>\n

The 34-year-old McCollum averaged 19.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in his seven and a half seasons with the Trail Blazers.<\/p>\n

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Many wanted Portland to reacquire McCollum and reunite him with Lillard when he was rumored to be being shopped by the Washington Wizards. But alas, he landed on the Hawks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He played well in his first two games with Atlanta, including scoring 25 points off the bench in their loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

McCollum is expected to continue playing a backup role, as the Hawks have rolled with Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker as the starters in the backcourt.<\/p>\n

As of writing, the Hawks are ahead of the Trail Blazers at halftime, 56-54.<\/p>\n

Related: Deni Avdija injury update a bad sign for Blazers-Hawks game<\/a><\/p>\n