Skip to content

LEAGUES News

McCollum regrets suspension: West 'is already tough enough'

Barry Gossage / National Basketball Association / Getty

Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum will be sitting out the regular-season opener Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns due to a one-game suspension, and he takes full responsibility.

"I've been in the league way too long to have a mental lapse like that," McCollum told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski of leaving the bench during an altercation in a preseason game Wednesday.

"I want to apologize to my teammates and the organization for putting our team in this situation. The Western Conference is already tough enough as it is. It won't happen again."

Under NBA rules, McCollum must serve the suspension in the first game he is physically able to play in. Because he's currently not listed on Portland's injury report, he will miss the 2017-18 lid-lifter.

McCollum left the bench area after a shoving match broke out between teammate Caleb Swanigan and Suns center Alex Len. The NBA has strict rules about entering the floor unauthorized, but McCollum wouldn't make excuses.

"Lesson learned," he said. "I take full responsibility for those eight expensive and costly steps."

RELATED NEWS

TANNER HUDSON WITH ONE HAND 🔥 CINvsBAL on NBC Stream on @N...
Hudson scores one-handed TD on pass from Burrow 😮‍💨
Great hustle by Jordan Battle to force the fumble before Lik...
Bengals get touchback after Likely suffers goal-line fumble 😲
Are the Chiefs still making the playoffs?? 🤔 @TylerMacKillo...
What's wrong with the Chiefs? 😬
A turkey leg for Dak Prescott and a huge win for his team
Prescott, Cowboys enjoying Thanksgiving after huge win 🍗
MAHOMES STAYED ON HIS FEET AND COMPLETED THE PASS KCvsDAL o...
Mahomes magic on Thanksgiving Day 😳
GEORGE PICKENS! WOW!
Pickens makes spectacular play to help set up Cowboys' go-ahead TD 😱