Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III might not be ready for the start of the NBA season due to a right hamstring strain.
Injury Details:
The New Orleans Pelicans shared that Murphy got hurt during their training camp in Nashville, Tennessee. An MRI confirmed the injury, and he will be checked again in about three weeks. Hamstring strains can be tricky and often take a while to heal, so there’s no guarantee he’ll play against the Bulls on October 23 or even in the early months of the season.
Impact on Pelicans’ Season:
If Murphy stays sidelined for long, it could really hurt the Pelicans’ plans. Last year, they won 49 games and were aiming high before injuries to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram slowed them down. Losing Murphy would be another setback as they try to improve this season.
Murphy’s Role and Performance:
Murphy was important last year when the team finished seventh in their conference. He averaged 14.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while making 38% of his shots from beyond the arc. Impressively, he made at least 150 three-pointers for two seasons straight, joining CJ McCollum as one of only two players in franchise history to do so. His defensive skills also improved significantly.
Fans are really hoping he gets better soon because we want him back on the court!
Future Expectations:
Many thought Murphy would continue to grow this season since he’s eligible for a contract extension before October 21st. But this injury might slow down his progress and affect how well the team does in a tough Western Conference.
Team Adjustments:
Without Murphy, coach Willie Green might depend more on Jordan Hawkins and rookie Karlo Matkovic. The projected starting lineup includes Ingram, Williamson, Herb Jones, Dejounte Murray, and Daniel Theis with McCollum possibly coming off the bench.
