New guard Dejounte Murray might have suffered a fractured left hand in the course of the Pelicans’ opening night time victory over the Bulls, per NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN.
Murray, who posted a close to triple-double with 14 factors, 10 assists, and eight rebounds, exited the sport in clear discomfort. His standing shifting ahead is now unsure because the staff awaits additional analysis.
The Pelicans acquired Murray in a blockbuster commerce with the Hawks this offseason, aiming to bolster their backcourt and make a severe push within the Western Convention.
His dynamic playmaking and defensive depth have been anticipated to pair nicely with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, giving the Pelicans a formidable core. Nonetheless, Murray’s potential absence looms giant, particularly with Williamson already sidelined as a result of sickness.
New Orleans, as they’ve proven in recent times, has struggled with accidents to key gamers, and the beginning of this season is starting to comply with that acquainted sample. Shedding Murray for any prolonged interval would depart a major void within the backcourt, inserting further stress on CJ McCollum and Ingram to hold the load.
For now, the Pelicans should hope that is only a minor setback for his or her latest star. If the harm is certainly a fracture, it may derail a few of the momentum they have been hoping to construct early on, particularly in a aggressive West that doesn’t depart a lot room for error.
One of many prime two-way gamers within the NBA, Murray averaged 22.5 factors, 5.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Hawks final season, taking pictures 45.9% from the sphere, 36.3% on 3-pointers and 79.4% from the free-throw line.
Searching for the newest NBA Insider Information & Rumors?