CJ McCollum: Latest News, Stats & Highlights 2026

CJ McCollum is the talk of the NBA right now, and for good reason. The veteran guard has become a catalyst for one of the most impressive winning streaks the league has seen this season, helping the Atlanta Hawks reel off 11 consecutive victories — including a dominant 135-120 win over the Dallas Mavericks on March 18, 2026. McCollum's insertion into the starting lineup earlier this month has been widely credited as the spark that ignited Atlanta's turnaround, and his veteran poise is drawing praise from teammates and analysts alike.

How CJ McCollum Sparked the Hawks' 11-Game Winning Streak

The Atlanta Hawks were a team searching for an identity when head coach Quin Snyder made a pivotal adjustment: sliding CJ McCollum into the starting five in place of young French wing Zaccharie Risacher. The move paid immediate dividends. From that moment, the Hawks went on a tear that has now reached 11 straight wins, one of the hottest runs in the NBA this season.

McCollum's fit alongside the new-look starting unit has been seamless. The Hawks now roll out a lineup featuring Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu alongside McCollum — a group that blends defensive versatility, shot creation, and veteran savvy in equal measure.

Against Dallas, McCollum put on a clinic, pouring in 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field and 6-of-7 from the free-throw line. It was the kind of efficient, composed performance that has defined his contributions throughout the streak — steady scoring, smart decision-making, and a relentless ability to manufacture points in a variety of ways.

The Veteran Mentality Behind McCollum's Impact

What makes McCollum's resurgence in Atlanta so compelling is not just the on-court production — it's the mindset he has brought to the locker room. When asked about his transition back to a starting role following a win against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 16, McCollum was characteristically selfless.

"For me, it's whatever the team needs," McCollum said, adding that he is comfortable in any role as long as the team is competing at a high level.

That team-first attitude resonates throughout the Atlanta roster. Jalen Johnson, the Hawks' young star forward, has been vocal in his praise of McCollum's influence. Johnson described his veteran teammate as "a great vet" who "understands the game at an elite level" and consistently offers pointers to younger players to help them improve.

This kind of veteran leadership is exactly what a team like Atlanta — one that blends experienced players with emerging talents — needs when pushing for playoff positioning in a competitive Eastern Conference. McCollum's basketball IQ, built over more than a decade in the league, is a resource the entire team draws on nightly.

CJ McCollum's Career: From Lehigh Upset Hero to NBA Veteran

For fans who may be coming to CJ McCollum's story fresh, his journey to becoming a trusted playoff-caliber contributor is worth understanding. McCollum first captured national attention as a collegian at Lehigh University, where he engineered one of the most stunning upsets in NCAA Tournament history — a victory over the Duke Blue Devils. That moment still resonates with college basketball fans, and it hinted at the clutch performer McCollum would become at the professional level.

Drafted 10th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2013, McCollum blossomed into an elite scorer, forming a celebrated backcourt partnership with Damian Lillard. He won the NBA's Most Improved Player award in 2016 and became a perennial 20-plus points-per-game scorer. After a trade to New Orleans and stints as a team leader with the Pelicans, McCollum has reinvented himself in Atlanta as exactly the kind of veteran role player championship contenders covet.

Hawks' Playoff Push: Where Atlanta Stands

Despite the red-hot 11-game winning streak, the Hawks have not dramatically altered their position in the Eastern Conference standings — a reminder of just how competitive the conference is from top to bottom. Entering the March 18 game against Dallas, Atlanta sat at 38-31 overall with a 19-15 road record, the latter figure underscoring the team's ability to win away from State Farm Arena.

The Hawks find themselves in the thick of the playoff race, and every win carries significant weight at this stage of the season. A run like this — 11 consecutive victories — can reshape a team's confidence and identity heading into the postseason. Atlanta is clearly playing its best basketball at the right time.

The 135-120 final score against the Mavericks was a statement performance, with the Hawks shooting efficiently and controlling the game for long stretches. Dallas, struggling with its own roster challenges, had no answer for Atlanta's balanced attack.

What's Next for CJ McCollum in Atlanta?

One of the more intriguing storylines surrounding McCollum this season is his future with the Hawks beyond 2025-26. When asked about the possibility of re-signing with Atlanta, McCollum delivered a characteristically cheeky response — declining to give a definitive answer but clearly enjoying his time with the organization.

It is easy to see why Atlanta would want to retain him. McCollum provides something that is genuinely difficult to find in free agency: a proven scorer with playoff experience who is willing to embrace a complementary role without ego. His ability to take over a game when needed — as evidenced by his 24-point effort against Dallas — while also deferring to teammates when the situation calls for it makes him a uniquely valuable asset.

For a Hawks team built around the ascending talents of Jalen Johnson and anchored by the defensive intensity of Dyson Daniels, McCollum is the veteran connective tissue that can elevate a promising young roster into a genuine playoff threat.

Frequently Asked Questions About CJ McCollum and the Hawks

How many points did CJ McCollum score against the Mavericks on March 18, 2026?

CJ McCollum scored 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field and 6-of-7 from the free-throw line in the Hawks' 135-120 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Why was CJ McCollum inserted into the Hawks' starting lineup?

McCollum replaced Zaccharie Risacher in the starting five during the early stages of the Hawks' winning streak. The lineup change is credited as a key catalyst for Atlanta's turnaround, providing veteran scoring and leadership alongside Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu.

What is the Hawks' current winning streak as of March 18, 2026?

The Atlanta Hawks have won 11 consecutive games as of March 18, 2026, making it one of the longest active winning streaks in the NBA this season.

What is CJ McCollum's overall record with the Hawks this season?

The Hawks are 38-31 overall on the season, with a road record of 19-15 heading into their March 18 matchup against Dallas.

Will CJ McCollum re-sign with the Atlanta Hawks?

McCollum has not committed to re-signing with Atlanta, offering a playful non-answer when asked about his future. Given his strong play and the team's chemistry, it is a storyline that will develop as the offseason approaches.

Conclusion: McCollum's Veteran Excellence at the Right Moment

CJ McCollum's story in Atlanta is a reminder that experience and winning culture are not abstract concepts — they manifest in tangible ways on the floor, game after game. His 24-point performance against the Mavericks to cap an 11-game winning streak is the latest proof point in a season-long display of why veterans like McCollum remain so valuable in the modern NBA.

Whether Atlanta can sustain this momentum and make a deep postseason run remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: CJ McCollum's insertion into the starting lineup changed this team's trajectory. His willingness to do "whatever the team needs," backed by elite basketball IQ and the ability to score at an efficient clip, makes him one of the most important pieces of the Hawks' playoff puzzle heading into the stretch run of the 2025-26 season.