Pelicans’ Dejounte Murray fires back in deleted post: ‘The sabotage is real’

The Pelicans have enough problems on the court. Dejounte Murray’s latest social media response adds another question off it.

Following Wednesday’s 145-111 home loss to the Nets, Murray responded to an NBA Central post highlighting New Orleans’ 1-8 record when he plays and 3-0 mark when he doesn’t. The post also noted his team-worst minus-33 against Brooklyn.

Murray suggested there was more behind the criticism.

“From what’s going on inside, this sounds like someone hit you to say this,” Murray wrote in the since-deleted response captured by NBA Central. “The sabotage is real!”

That’s a strong accusation, even without much explanation. Murray didn’t identify anyone or provide details about what he meant by “what’s going on inside.”

As Gautam Varier of Fadeaway World detailed, Murray finished with five points on 2-of-6 shooting, two rebounds and four assists against the Nets. He’s averaging 13.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists, with single-digit scoring performances in three of his last four games.

The production needs to improve. But a nine-game record with Murray and three games without him hardly settles whether the Pelicans are better off without their veteran guard. Opponents, lineups and everyone else’s performance factor into those results, too.

What’s clear is that frustration is spreading. The loss dropped New Orleans to 4-8 and followed a 51-point defeat against the Warriors. Zion Williamson also spoke bluntly afterward, calling the performance unacceptable and saying fans and the city deserved better.

Murray’s post takes the conversation in a different direction. Williamson called for collective accountability. Murray hinted at something happening behind the scenes.

Until he explains further, that’s all anyone can responsibly take from it. The Pelicans already have plenty to fix without guessing at the rest.

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