Hold onto your hats, folks! The New Orleans Pelicans kicked off their season with a bang, and not in the way they hoped. Dejounte Murray, their shiny new guard, is already sidelined with a busted hand. Ouch.
Murray’s Rough Debut
So, here’s the scoop: Murray, who just joined the Pelicans from the Hawks, was doing his thing against the Bulls—dropping 14 points, dishing out 10 dimes, and snagging eight boards. But then, disaster struck. With two minutes left, he launched a three and got fouled by Zach LaVine. Next thing you know, he’s clutching his left hand like it’s made of glass. Talk about a rough start!
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray is feared to have a fractured left hand, sources tell ESPN. Difficult opening night injury for Pelicans and Murray, who posted 14 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in season-opening victory over Chicago.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
Playing Through Pain
Even with his hand screaming at him, Murray wasn’t about to back down. He nailed two out of three free throws before calling it a night. Gotta respect the hustle. His teammate CJ McCollum mentioned, “Hopefully, he’s not out too long.” I think it’s safe to say we’re all crossing our fingers on that one. Murray’s debut was a bittersweet affair; he joined the ranks of Elfrid Payton and Baron Davis as one of the few Pelicans to hit double-digit assists in their first game. Not bad for a guy playing through pain!
Off-Court Drama
But wait, there’s more drama! Before this whole hand fiasco, Murray had already been dealing with some personal stuff. He’d left the team for a family emergency, which had everyone wondering if he’d even make it to the opener. Talk about a rollercoaster week. And speaking of missing players, Zion Williamson was also MIA due to illness. Seriously, the Pelicans can’t catch a break.
What’s Next?
The Pelicans are hitting the road to face the Trail Blazers next. Will they bounce back, or will this injury bug keep biting? Only time will tell. But here’s a thought: Could this be the year the Pelicans finally shake off their bad luck and make a serious playoff push?
