Now, the Pelicans are officially calling it a season for All-Star power forward Zion Williamson and standout starting guard CJ McCollum. They will sit out for the club's final few regular season bouts, with the playoffs already out of reach.

To aid in that effort, the Pelicans have officially shut down Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum for the remainder of the season. The Pelicans released a statement citing a low-back contusion for Williamson and a foot contusion for McCollum, which are alternative ways of saying "we're tanking."

But even with New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum nursing a season-ending right foot injury amid a campaign that will end with a missed playoff appearance, he appeared at a recent morning shootaround in relatively high spirits.