Veteran shooting guard for the New Orleans Pelicans, CJ McCollum, has been diagnosed with a small pneumothorax in his right lung. The team announced after medical imaging taken Sunday morning showed the ailment. McCollum will undergo an additional medical examination soon to determine the healing progress.

Unfortunately, this is the second time in McCollum's NBA career that he's suffered a collapsed right lung. He missed 17 games over six weeks due to the injury in December 2021, but he returned six weeks later. The 32-year-old is also a broadcaster who was part of the "new media" entrants on ESPN last year.

McCollum offered intelligent commentary and professionalism in a growing landscape of current and former athletes lending their insider's perspective to sports analysis.

McCollum, who turned 32 in September, had this same injury in December 2021 and returned about six weeks later. McCollum's ailment comes at an unfortunate time for the Pelicans, who have other athletes with substantial injuries. In addition, the Pelicans are chock full of injuries at the moment.

The list reads like a roster of fallen soldiers. Forward Naji Marshall is out with a knee injury, Trey Murphy who is out with a torn meniscus, and Jose Alvarado, who will be reevaluated soon after nursing a right ankle sprain, which also kept him out of this summer's FIBA World Cup

McCollum, 32, is averaging 21.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists with the Pelicans in 2023-24.

The 11-year NBA veteran is also shooting 44 percent from the field and 38 percent from 3-point range while hoisting a team-high 8.3 attempts per game from deep.

The veteran guard and former Most Improved Player is the second leading scorer on the team just behind oft-injured All-Star Zion Williamson, who has already missed one game this season.

Williamson's averaging 22.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists per contest while shooting about 52 percent from the floor.

The Pelicans will return to action on Monday night, visiting the defending NBA Champion and 6-1 Denver Nuggets, the first of a three-game road trip.