The New Orleans Pelicans’ season from hell just got even worse. Dejounte Murray, their marquee offseason acquisition, suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during Friday night’s 118-116 loss to the Boston Celtics, according to multiple reports. The injury ends his season and likely sidelines him for a significant portion of next year, adding yet another devastating blow to an already injury-ravaged Pelicans roster.
How the Injury Happened
Murray went down late in the first quarter while chasing his own missed shot. After securing the rebound, he collapsed, clearly in pain, and needed assistance to get off the court. The severity of the injury became apparent shortly after, confirming a torn Achilles, one of the most dreaded injuries in basketball. Before exiting the game, Murray had four points and five rebounds in just eight minutes of action.
Pelicans’ Season Ruined by Injuries
Murray now joins a long list of sidelined Pelicans players, making this one of the most injury-plagued seasons in recent NBA history. Zion Williamson has played only 13 games, Brandon Ingram has appeared in just 18 contests, and key contributors like Herb Jones, Daniel Theis, and Jordan Hawkins are also out.
Murray himself has had an unfortunate year. His first season in New Orleans got off to a rough start after he fractured his hand on opening night and missed over a month. Now, just as he was settling into the lineup, his season is over.
The Pelicans’ Collapse
Entering this season, New Orleans had high hopes after going 49-33 and making the playoffs last year. But injuries have completely derailed their season, and they have plummeted in the standings. After Friday’s loss, the Pelicans now sit at 12-37, one of the worst records in the league.
A Brutal Year for Murray and the Pelicans
Murray, an All-Star in 2022, was expected to be a game-changer for New Orleans after arriving in a blockbuster trade last July. The Pelicans gave up four players, including Dyson Daniels and Larry Nance Jr., as well as two first-round draft picks to acquire him.
Despite the team’s struggles, Murray had been playing well, averaging 17.9 points, 7.6 assists, and 6.5 rebounds over 30 games this season. But now, his Achilles injury could keep him out well into next season, making an already disastrous year even more painful for the Pelicans.
What’s Next for New Orleans?
At this point, the Pelicans are simply trying to survive the season while hoping for better injury luck in the future. With Williamson, Ingram, and now Murray all dealing with major setbacks, the team must reassess its long-term strategy and determine how to move forward.
For now, Murray faces a long road to recovery, and the Pelicans will have to navigate the rest of the season without their biggest offseason acquisition—just another cruel twist in what has already been a nightmare season in New Orleans.