Oh man, just when the Pelicans thought they were ready to roll, Trey Murphy III hits a snag with a hamstring strain.
Trey’s Tough Break
So here’s the scoop: Trey Murphy III, the Pelicans’ rising star, is out for at least three weeks thanks to a right hamstring strain he picked up during practice. Yeah, it’s a bummer, especially with the season opener against the Bulls on October 23rd looming large. But hey, injuries are part of the game, right? The MRI confirmed the bad news, and now we wait to see how fast he can bounce back.
The #Pelicans announced today that forward Trey Murphy III has been diagnosed with a right hamstring strain.
An MRI taken today confirmed the injury, which occurred during yesterday eveningโs practice. He will be re-examined in approximately three weeks.
โ New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA)
Murphy’s Magic Numbers
Last season, Murphy was on fire! He averaged 14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. His shooting was slick too, hitting 44.3% overall and a cool 38% from downtown. And let’s not forget his free throw game at 81.5%. I think Murphy’s efficiency is what makes him such a key player for the Pelicans. His PER was 16.3, and he had the lowest turnover percentage in the league at 4.7%. That’s some serious ball control!
Contract Year Crunch
Here’s where it gets interesting: Murphy’s entering the final year of his rookie contract, worth $14.78 million. He’s eligible for an extension before the October 21 deadline. Talk about pressure! With his 39.2% career 3-point shooting, he’s a valuable asset. Plus, he and CJ McCollum are the only Pelicans to nail 150+ threes in multiple seasons. That’s some elite company right there.
Defensive Dynamo
On defense, Murphy’s no slouch either. Opponents shot just 42.2% when he was the closest defender last season. That’s the fifth-lowest percentage among players who faced at least 500 shots. It’s like trying to score on a brick wall! Remember that game against the Hawks in March? Murphy dropped 28 points off the bench, helping the Pelicans sweep a three-game road trip. And he wasn’t doneโhe scored a season-high 31 points against the Blazers in April. Coach Willie Green even said, โTreyโs shooting has been off the charts the last five to seven games.โ
So, what do you think? Can Murphy come back strong and secure that extension? Or will this injury throw a wrench in the Pelicans’ plans?
