The NBA cleared CJ McCollum's day-to-day designation Thursday night, lifting the question mark that had hung over the veteran guard since Monday. He is available for Atlanta's season opener at San Antonio.
What happened
The official injury report on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7:12 p.m. ET moved CJ McCollum from day-to-day to cleared. McCollum had first appeared on the report Monday, Oct. 5, listed day-to-day with a nose and head issue. No additional detail or comment accompanied Thursday's update, and no expected return date applies since the 35-year-old guard is now off the injury list entirely. The clearance comes just hours before Atlanta's game at San Antonio, tipping off Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.
What it means for the Hawks
McCollum is set to be available when Atlanta plays at the Spurs on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. Last season he played 76 games, averaging 29.8 minutes, 18.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists, production the Hawks do not have to replace in the backcourt tonight. With him active, Atlanta avoids leaning further on Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Trae Young and Keshon Gilbert, all of whom logged extended minutes in games McCollum missed last season. The Hawks are 0-0, with the 2026-27 season not yet started.
What to watch
No return timeline applies now that McCollum is off the injury report. The next official report will show whether he stays clear of any designation as the Hawks move into the 2026-27 season. The game at San Antonio is the only matchup on the schedule so far, and McCollum is good to go for it.
Is CJ McCollum playing at Spurs?
Yes. The official injury report cleared McCollum's day-to-day designation Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7:12 p.m. ET, making him available for Atlanta's game at San Antonio.
When will CJ McCollum be back?
He is already back. McCollum was day-to-day with a nose and head issue as of Monday, Oct. 5, but the official injury report cleared him Thursday, Oct. 8, with no games missed.