February 23: Murray believes he’ll make his season debut on Tuesday, Will Guillory of The Athletic tweets. New Orleans hosts Golden State tomorrow.
February 20: Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray has been sidelined since January 31, 2025 after rupturing his right Achilles tendon, but he’s close to returning to action. The one-time All-Star went through full practices on Wednesday and Thursday, writes Rod Walker of NOLA.com.
“He’s close,” interim head coach James Borrego said after Thursday’s practice. “I’d say in the next week, he’s back on the floor playing NBA games, which is amazing.”
Murray, whom the Pelicans acquired in the 2024 offseason in a trade with Atlanta, had a tough start to his tenure in New Orleans. He fractured his left hand in the team’s 2024/25 season opener, causing him to miss 17 games, then suffered the torn Achilles a few months later.
The 29-year-old made 31 appearances last season, averaging 17.5 points, 7.4 assists, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 32.6 minutes per game. He struggled with his offensive efficiency, posting an underwhelming .393/.299/.823 shooting slash line.
Murray has been ruled out for Friday’s game vs. Milwaukee, but Borrego is optimistic about what the former All-Defensive guard will bring to the Pelicans when he makes his season debut.
“I’m expecting a lot from him,” Borrego said, per Walker. “He’s coming off a massive injury, but what I’ve seen has been encouraging. I look forward to watching him.”
Let’s hope the Pelicans still suck after Dejounte returns
They will
I wouldn’t even play him other than to show him for a trade in the off season. Fears is PG of the future.
They will probably have him play a 10 games and shut him down no back to backs. Need to show enough to appear healthy for the trade as you said.
Too many guards on the roster for sure. Definitely have to clear that up in the offseason
I assume you are a Hawks fan?
Yes lol
He was suppose to be back a month ago. He needs to show so they can move him. He’s had a couple serious injuries to his right leg. I guess you have to go easy with him. I want to see how he looks.
I have always liked Murray. I hope he gets back close to 100 percent, but I personally can’t see a team with plans on being good trading for him this off season.
Maybe at next year’s trade deadline.
For now, I think they will have to give up an asset to get a team with room to take on his salary.
Probably no hurry from the Pelicans standpoint – Fears can probably benefit from having an experienced guard playing in front of him, and if Murray is able to approach his previous production, it won’t be a problem moving a $30M contract at next year’s deadline. You might not get much for him, but you wouldn’t have to attach an asset.
Knowing Karnišovas he has one more trade for another guard in him (DJ Khalid voice).
Pelicans with 16 wins. Can at least move back to 8th or 9 th seed. They don’t own their pick. Murray has to get in game in shape. No need to push him.
Dejounte….the allstar journeyman. I wonder who will trade for him now.
Kings perhaps.