The midweek tilt between New Orleans and Portland is the fourth time the teams have played each other since McCollum’s exit. Lillard was unavailable in the first three matchups, including in March, when McCollum returned to Moda Center for the first time as a Pelican. “I think the first time was more emotional than this one,” McCollum said Monday. “I have been gone for awhile. I have sold my house and everything. It will be another game where I want to go compete and give ourselves a chance. “It will be nice to play against Dame. But we also guarded each other for nine years in practice.”
Salt Lake City Stars announce 2023-24 season schedule