In 2019, CJ McCollum delivered a playoff performance for the ages!
Facing the Denver Nuggets on the road in Game 7, McCollum poured in a game-high 37 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers back from a 17-point deficit to stun the Nuggets 100-96 and book their place in the Western Conference Finals — the first time in 19 years.
Only four players have scored more points in a decisive Game 7 in NBA history — LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
With Damian Lillard struggling on the night, shooting 3-of-17 from the field, the Blazers needed every one of McCollum's buckets, especially down the stretch as he accounted for six of the Blazers' final eight points for the game, draining jumper after jumper.
CJ McCollum just went 17 for 29 for 37 points in a road game 7! pic.twitter.com/c1XGyLlQoX
— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) May 12, 2019
McCollum shot 17-of-29 from the field and 1-of-3 from deep, adding nine rebounds.
...and who could forget his LeBron-like chasedown block on Jamal Murray in the fourth quarter!
Two Northeast Ohio legends with clutch blocks in a Game 7 🖐 pic.twitter.com/veUkAoKRvI
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 12, 2019
"It was a mini-version of Bron's block on Iggy [Andre Iguodala] some years ago," Mccollum said post-game. "Definitely didn't get up as high but it was a cool play, something that we'll remember forever. I might get a picture of that one."
Watch the game below:
After winning a Game 7 on the road for the first time in the franchise’s 49 years, the Trail Blazers fell to the Golden State Warriors in the Conference Finals (4-0).
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