Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images
New Orleans Pelicans star Dejounte Murray is out for the remainder of the NBA season after suffering a torn Achilles in Friday’s 118-116 loss to the Boston Celtics, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Murray appeared to suffer the non-contact injury while chasing an offensive rebound following his missed shot in the first quarter. He soon limped off the court and was helped back to the locker room before being ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Dejounte Murray was helped to the locker room after suffering an apparent non-contact injury on this play 🙏 pic.twitter.com/4HVeiNwduI
Following the injury, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that the Pelicans will try to make a trade before the deadline to get under the luxury tax threshold.
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
Dejounte Murray suffering a torn Achilles and missing the rest of the season is the latest blow in a brutal season of injuries for the New Orleans Pelicans. With the third-worst record, they’ll try to make a trade to get below the luxury tax threshold by the deadline, sources say pic.twitter.com/5iy2DOk1Mt
The 28-year-old Murray, an All-Star in 2022, entered Friday averaging 17.9 points, 7.6 assists, 6.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals.
This has been a horrible year for New Orleans with multiple players impact by long-term injuries. As a team, the Pelicans entered Friday having played 48 total games. All but four players (Brandon Boston Jr., Yves Missi, Javonte Green, Jeremiah Robertson-Earl) have missed 10 or more contests.
Eight of the team’s top nine scorers have missed 13 or more games. They include Brandon Ingram, who has been out nearly two months with an ankle sprain. Zion Williamson missed 27 games with a hamstring strain. Defensive star Herbert Jones is out indefinitely with a torn labrum.
Understandably, the Pelicans have struggled and now sit 12-37 after their 118-116 home loss to Boston.
New Orleans had high hopes entering this season. The Pels won 49 games and made the playoffs last year, but added Murray via trade from the Atlanta Hawks gave the team optimism for a deeper playoff run.
Unfortunately, everything that could go wrong has in New Orleans, and now Murray has suffered a devastating injury, dealing the Pelicans another massive blow.
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