CJ McCollum had a red-hot first-half performance for the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday as they faced off against the San Antonio Spurs in a win-or-go-home Play-In game. McCollum dropped 27 points in his first-half explosion and even Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant had to take notice.

Morant needed just three words to express how impressed he was with McCollum's eruption for the Pelicans:

McCollum's first-half heroics allowed the Pelicans to mount an 11-point lead going into the break. The 30-year-old veteran knew what was at stake in this one and he stepped up to the plate for his team when it mattered the most.

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McCollum and Co. sealed the deal on Wednesday, emerging with a 113-103 win over the Spurs. They now get to face off against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. Whoever emerges victorious in that one will secure the eighth seed in the Western Conference and will go up against the league-best Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs.

McCollum has been nothing short of outstanding since his blockbuster move from the Portland Trail Blazers back in February. He now has an opportunity to further make his mark in Pelicans franchise history as New Orleans looks to make a run in the postseason.

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