Pelicans’ Dejounte Murray Expected Out 4-6 Weeks After Hand Surgery

October 25, 2024

Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray played one game with New Orleans, but it will be a while before he plays a second.

That’s because Murray is expected to miss 4-6 weeks following surgery on his left hand, per Shams Charania of ESPN. Murry suffered the injury in the season-opening win over the Bulls.

Murray underwent imaging on the hand after the game.

“Tests confirmed the injury to the former All-Star, who will now be sidelined for an extended period of time,” Charania wrote.

Murray, who posted a near triple-double with 14 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds, exited the game in clear discomfort.

He was acquired Murray in a blockbuster trade with the Hawks this offseason, aiming to bolster their backcourt and make a serious push in the Western Conference.

His dynamic playmaking and defensive intensity were expected to pair well with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, giving the Pelicans a formidable core. However, Murray’s potential absence looms large, especially with Williamson already sidelined due to illness.

New Orleans, as it’s shown in recent years, has struggled with injuries to key players, and the start of this season is beginning to follow that familiar pattern. Losing Murray for any extended period would leave a significant void in the backcourt, placing extra pressure on CJ McCollum and Ingram to carry the load.

Basically, Murray’s injury could derail some of the momentum the Pelicans were hoping to build early on, especially in a competitive West that doesn’t leave much room for error.

One of the top two-way players in the NBA, Murray averaged 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Hawks last season, shooting 45.9% from the field, 36.3% on 3-pointers and 79.4% from the free-throw line.