New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray plans to make his return Wednesday after suffering a broken hand against the Toronto Raptors, NBA reporter Chris Haynes reported Monday.
Murray, a 2022 All-Star, joined the Pelicans this offseason via trade from the Atlanta Hawks. He suffered a broken left hand in his debut with the Pelicans in New Orleans’ opening night win against the Chicago Bulls. He hasn’t played since.
Murray’s is one of several injuries to key players that have derailed the Pelicans’ season after a 4-13 start. Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, Herbert Jones, Trey Murphy III and Jose Alvarado have also missed extended periods of time with injuries.
McCollum is considered likely and is expected to return Monday night against the Indiana Pacers after a 13-game absence with an adductor injury. Williamson, whose career has been plagued by injuries since he was selected No. 1 overall out of Duke in 2019, has missed eight games with a hamstring injury and is reportedly not close to returning to the court. Jones and Alvarado remain out of the lineup. Murphy played his first game on Nov. 11 after recovering from a hamstring injury and has sat out the second night of back-to-backs.
While the news of Williamson’s lack of progress is disappointing in New Orleans, the expected return of Murray and McCollum to the lineup means the Pelicans will have their defensive foundation intact for the first time since opening night.
Murray, 28, averaged 22.5 points, 6.4 assists and 1.4 steals with the Hawks last season while sharing the backcourt with Trae Young. The Pelicans acquired Murray in hopes he would take a talented Pelicans roster that also features 2020 All-Star Brandon Ingram to the next level in a stacked Western Conference.
The Pelicans made the playoffs in two of the past three seasons, but failed to reach the first round. Their 4-13 start has them in last place in the West.
