{"id":145368,"date":"2025-06-18T10:20:42","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T14:20:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=145368"},"modified":"2025-06-18T10:20:42","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T14:20:42","slug":"dejounte-murray-opens-up-about-his-first-year-from-hell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/18\/dejounte-murray-opens-up-about-his-first-year-from-hell\/","title":{"rendered":"Pelicans Star Opens Up About His Year From Hell"},"content":{"rendered":"

NEW ORLEANS<\/strong> \u2014 Dejounte Murray<\/a> arrived in New Orleans<\/a> last summer seeking a reset. His two-year stint in Atlanta<\/a>, alongside Trae Young<\/a>, yielded just two postseason victories. That outcome fell short of expectations, especially considering the Hawks gave up three first-round picks and a swap to land him. Murray, still only 28 and in the prime of his career, hoped the Pelicans would offer him a stable platform for growth. Instead, Dejounte Murray’s first year with the Pelicans became a nightmare. Injuries, tragedy, and dysfunction off the court derailed what was supposed to be a comeback season. On The Pivot Podcast<\/em>,<\/a> Murray didn\u2019t mince words about the challenges he faced.<\/p>\n

Pelicans Star Opens Up About His Year From Hell<\/h2>\n

A Season Crushed by Injuries and Personal Tragedy<\/h3>\n
\"The
Jan 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) and New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) celebrate a three-point basket made by Murray with an assist from Williamson during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 2024\u201325 Pelicans season spiraled quickly. The team finished with a dismal 21-61 record, second-worst in the Western Conference. After acquiring Murray in a deal that sent out Dyson Daniels<\/a>, Larry Nance Jr<\/a>., Cody Zeller<\/a>, and two future firsts, the organization expected a leap. Instead, it collapsed.<\/p>\n

Injuries riddled the roster. Zion Williamson<\/a> played only 30 games before a back contusion sidelined him. Murray, the prized offseason acquisition, tore his Achilles in January after appearing in just 31 games. Herbert Jones<\/a> and Trey Murphy III<\/a> also missed extended stretches, and the roster lacked cohesion throughout the year.<\/p>\n

Before his injury, Murray posted modest numbers: 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game on 39.3% shooting. A noticeable dip from the 22.5 points and 45.9% field goal rate he posted the year prior. However, stats only tell part of the story.<\/p>\n

Personal Losses Took a Heavy Toll<\/h3>\n

Murray explained that personal tragedies compounded his on-court struggles. “It was a situation where, like, I got all these problems going on\u2026 I broke my hand, and I’m recovering. My mom had a stroke, one of my cousins got killed, then my uncle overdosed,” he said in his interview.<\/p>\n