New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray has torn his proper Achilles tendon, ending his 2024-25 season, as reported by NBA insider Chris Haynes. Throughout Friday night time’s recreation in opposition to the Boston Celtics, Murray collapsed after a extreme non-contact harm to his proper leg. He was assisted off the court docket, and followers’ worst fears have been rapidly confirmed.
LeBron James took to X to share his help for Murray, writing, “Speedy and wholesome restoration to my lil bro!! Love man!” adopted by a sequence of praying emojis. James and Murray have constructed a robust bond through the years, relationship again to when the famous person invited the guard to his camp. As Murray himself as soon as stated, they’re “tight.” Watching an in depth buddy undergo such a devastating harm is rarely simple.
The Pelicans have but to make an official announcement on Murray’s harm. Head coach Willie Inexperienced instructed reporters after the sport that the guard would bear imaging, with the crew set to supply an replace as soon as the outcomes have been in, in accordance with Marc J. Spears of Andscape.
Dejounte Murray’s abysmal season with the Pelicans
Murray’s first season with the Pelicans has been nothing wanting disastrous. Acquired in an offseason commerce with Atlanta, the 28-year-old confronted adversity even earlier than the season started, leaving the crew to be along with his mom after she suffered a stroke. Then, within the very first recreation of the common season, Murray fractured his left hand.
Dejounte Murray rejoined the lineup after lacking 18 video games with a fractured hand, however his capturing struggles continued, hitting simply 39.3% from the sector by 30 video games earlier than Friday—by far the bottom mark of his profession. The Pelicans, coping with accidents throughout their roster, have stumbled to a 12-37 file.
With New Orleans already properly out of rivalry this season, Murray’s standing for the start of the 2025-26 marketing campaign stays unsure because of the prolonged restoration course of for an Achilles tear. His contract contains two extra assured seasons after this yr, together with a participant possibility for 2027-28.
Associated New Orleans Pelicans InformationArticle continues beneath
With Murray sidelined for the rest of the season, the Pelicans are anticipated to rely extra on CJ McCollum to deal with playmaking tasks, whereas backup guard Jose Alvarado steps into a bigger position. Alvarado changed Murray within the lineup at the beginning of the second half on Friday.
The Pelicans hit with the harm bug
This season has already been brutal for the Pelicans, with ahead Brandon Ingram sidelined for 21 video games and counting as a consequence of a sprained ankle, whereas Zion Williamson sat out practically two months with a hamstring harm. Ingram and Williamson are the crew’s prime scorers, and Murray, a former All-Star, was an important piece of the rotation.
The Pelicans paid a steep worth to amass Murray from the Atlanta Hawks this offseason, parting with Dyson Daniels, E.J. Liddell, Larry Nance Jr., Cody Zeller, and two first-round picks to land the 28-year-old guard.
This season, Murray has been averaging 17.9 factors, 6.5 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and a career-best 2.1 steals in 33.5 minutes per recreation.
New Orleans received’t have the choice to use for a disabled participant exception to interchange Murray, because the deadline for DPE purposes expired on January 15.