CJ McCollum scored 38 points lead a New Orleans Pelicans team playing without the suspended Zion Williamson past the Philadelphia 76ers 123-115.

CJ McCollum scored 38 points as the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans opened a three-game road trip with a 123-115 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.

The Pelicans took an 87-78 lead into the fourth quarter when Alvarado drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer. They stretched the lead to 94-83 on an Alvarado assist to Theis, who finished the play with a slam. Hawkins’ four-point play with 6:49 left boosted the Pelicans' lead to 105-92.

Nick Nurse and the Philadelphia 76ers explain what went wrong in the loss to CJ McCollum and the New Orleans Pelicans.

The New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers have had promising seasons derailed by multiple injuries to stars. On Friday night, CJ McCollum boosted the Pelicans and his trade value. McCollum scored 38 points and shot 13-of-24 as the shorthanded Pelicans beat the Sixers 123-115.