New Orleans Pelicans can’t catch a break as Dejounte Murray is slated to be sidelined for an extended period after an MRI confirmed that the star combo guard fractured his hand, per ESPN’s Shams Chanaria reported earlier this morning.
“Tests confirm a fractured left hand for Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray, sources tell ESPN. Murray is now sidelined for an extended period of time.”
According to Charania, Murray appeared to sustain or aggravate the injury late in the fourth quarter of the Pelicans win over Chicago. With just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter. Murray attempted a 3-pointer from the top of the key and was fouled by Zach LaVine on his way down. He tumbled over and came up holding his left hand, then refused assistance when a teammate tried to lift him back up with that hand.
The New Orleans Pelicans The Most Snake-Bitten NBA Franchise This Decade?
Murray remained in the game, making two of his three free throws, though he was subbed out for good with a minute to go. Murray, who was questionable for the game due to dealing with a family emergency, finished with 14 points and 10 assists while committing one turnover. He struggled from the field, going 4 of 14, including 0-3 from downtown.
In posting the 94th double-double of his career in his first game as a Pelican, Murray became just the third player in the franchise history to post a double-digit assist in his debut. He joined Elfrid Payton (2018) and Baron Davis (2002) as of the special club.
New Orleans acquired Murray in a blockbuster trade with Atlanta during the summer to potentially fill the void left when the Pelicans dealt Brandon Ingram. The Pelicans sent a huge package to the Hawks that centered around three first-round picks: Dyson Daniels and Larry Nance Jr.
Pelicans Depth
New Orleans was one of the deeper teams in the league a season ago, but that trade obviously depleted some of the depth. Zion Williamson (illness) and Trey Murphy III (hamstring) missed the win against Chicago. Backup point guard Jose Alvarado (knee) was questionable for the game against the Bulls, though he did play 13 minutes.
Murphy III, who has been sidelined since October 3, the second day of training camp, is out at least two more weeks, and Murray is out indefinitely.
“The New Orleans Pelicans say forward Trey Murphy III will miss at least the next two weeks with a right hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated at that time,” HoopHype’s Michael Scotto said. “Dejounte Murray suffered a fractured left hand and will be out indefinitely.”
On the positive side, according to Rod Walker of The Times-Picayune, Williamson is slated to return to the court on Friday after participating in practice today.
“Looks like he’s good to go,” Pelicans head coach Willie Green told Walker.
Snake-Bitten?
While there has been no official word on how long Murray will be out, he projects to be out at least until around Christmas time. Let’s assume he will be available after Christmas. Therefore, Murray will have missed 25 of the Pelicans games, marking the ninth straight season that at least one starter has missed 15 or more games.
New Orleans has had some really good players over the last decade—Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, Ingram, Williamson, CJ McCollum, Julius Randle, Lonzo Ball, Jonas Valanciunas, and DeMarcus Cousins. As a result, the expectations of having these types of players have been high. However, the Pelicans have failed to meet these lofty goals due to injuries.
Since the beginning of the 2016-17 season, New Orleans has had the 18th-most wins in the league (304). The Pelicans have posted just three winning seasons and one playoff series win during this stretch.
Davis appeared in at least 60 games in six of his seven seasons with the Pelicans but was limited to 56 in his final campaign with the franchise (2018-19). Ball has been injured throughout his career but played in 118 games for the Pelicans in his two seasons in the Big Easy, the most games he has played in any given two-year period. Cousins missed nearly half a season in his lone full campaign with New Orleans.
Projecting The Pelicans Rotation After Injuries
Meanwhile, Ingram and Williamson have played together in 148 games as they enter their sixth season as teammates. Williamson appeared in a career-high 70 contests last season, while Ingram appeared in 64 games last season—his most since joining the franchise.
Ingram wasn’t the only starter to miss at least 16 games last season for a Pelicans team with 49 games, the most since 2006-07. McCollum sat out 16 contests. Also, key role players Murphy (25), Daniels (21), Nance (21), and Alvarado (26) missed at least 30 games a piece.
New Orleans used 20 players last season with 16 starting lineups, the second-fewest the Pelicans have used over the past five seasons and the lowest number of starting lineups.
With Murray out and Williamson making his season debut, the Pelicans will use their second starting unit against Portland. McCollum will likely start at point guard, where the 33-year-old has spent most of the last two seasons.
Besides McCollum, Green has decisions to make, though he has options. Green could move Ingram to the two, where he has spent most of the last two years, or he could insert Jordan Hawkins into the starting lineup.
The Hawkins started 10 games last year and came off a 13-point and seven-rebound performance against the Bulls last night. Hawkins can play the two and three. Javonte Green will also start at either wing spot, as he scored nine points in 25 minutes off the bench against Chicago.
Will New Orleans Make A Roster Move?
While it depends on what Green does with Ingram, it is known that Williamson and Herbert Jones will also start. Jones will start either at three or four, while Williamson will get the nod at four or five. If Jones starts at the three and Williamson at the 4, then Daniel Theis will get another start at center. This contributed eight points, two rebounds, three assists, and three blocks in 19 minutes versus the Bulls.
Regardless of who Green decides to start, Alvarado, Hawkins, and rookie Yves Missi will see plenty of time. Javonte Green will also be part of the Pels second unit, while Jeremiah Robinson-Earl could see time at the end of the rotation as the second big.
New Orleans entered the season with 14 players on standard deals. With Murphy and Murray out for an extended time, the Pelicans could decide to add someone. A point guard is definitely a position of need, as none of their two-way players are point guards.
Options For Pelicans
New Orleans is already a tax team. The Pelicans have $4.35 million available before being hard-capped at the first apron. Dylan Sanders of Sports Illustrated suggested three ideal free agents for the Pelicans to sign: Markelle Fultz, Lonnie Walker IV, and Malachi Flynn.
Fultz and Flynn make the most sense as they are true point guards. However, signing Walker is not a far-fetched idea. He is the best offensive option of the three since Ingram is a capable facilitator.
Fultz saw a reduced role with Orlando last season after having a career year in 2022-23. The 26-year-old is an elite facilitator, solid ball-handler, and solid on-ball defender.
Flynn has 214 games of NBA experience, including 21 starts. The 26-year-old guard scored 50 points against Detroit on April 1 last season.
Jordan Goodwin, Killian Hayes, and Dennis Smith Jr. could also be possibilities for the Pelicans.
