New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray suffered a fractured left hand during the team’s season opener against the Chicago Bulls. The injury was confirmed after tests and will keep the former All-Star out of action for an extended period.
Murray had a strong debut for the Pelicans, putting up 14 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds before the injury occurred. He seemed to hurt his hand while attempting a 3-pointer late in the game and had to be subbed out shortly after.
Teammate CJ McCollum expressed hope that Murray’s recovery wouldn’t take too long, praising his performance despite the challenging circumstances. Murray’s status for the game was uncertain as he had recently been away from the team due to a family emergency.
Despite the setback, Murray’s debut with the Pelicans was impressive, with only one turnover in the game. He joined a select group of players in Pelicans history to achieve 10 assists in their team debut.
The Pelicans were already without star forward Zion Williamson, who was sidelined due to illness. The team will face the Portland Trail Blazers next as part of a four-game road trip on the West Coast.
Overall, Murray’s injury is a blow to the Pelicans early in the season, but his resilience and strong performance in his debut offer hope for a successful return once he recovers from the fracture. The team will need to adjust and rally together in his absence as they navigate the challenges ahead.
