On Wednesday night, the Toronto Raptors defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 119-93 in a humiliating contest. New Orleans currently has the lowest record in the Western Conference after losing their previous six games. After breaking his hand during the season opener against the Chicago Bulls, Dejounte Murray made his comeback to the floor. Following the team’s humiliating performance, he was unreserved in his remarks.
Murray described the team’s performance as “disgusting.” He echoed Willie Green, the head coach of the Pelicans, who claimed that the squad lacked competitive fire throughout the lopsided defeat. Murray began the game 0/11 from the field but ended up scoring 14 points on 5/17 shooting.
Before the Pelicans supporters started jeering the squad, Toronto had a 30-point advantage in the third quarter. The majority of the crowd left the arena by the middle of the fourth quarter in order to begin their early Christmas preparations. There are many questions about this organization, and the Pelicans look for answers. With this team, health concerns remain at the top of the agenda.
The Pelicans played without Trey Murphy III, Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Jose Alvarado despite Murray’s return. Williamson is out indefinitely due to a hamstring injury, while Ingram and Murphy III are regarded as day-to-day. The Pelicans were hoped to build on their 49-win record from the previous season, but with a 4-15 record, their only chance is to improve their performance before it’s too late.
That begins on Friday when they go to Memphis to play the Grizzlies in the last NBA Cup game for each franchise. At 4:00 p.m. CST, the game tip-off is scheduled.
Dejounte Murray’s Final Injury Status for Pelicans vs. Raptors
Dejounte Murray, the standout guard for the New Orleans Pelicans, will make his official court comeback on Wednesday night against the Toronto Raptors. Due to a fractured right hand sustained during the team’s season opener, the former all-star guard has missed the last 17 games. Murray took some time off from the team to attend to a personal issue following hand surgery.
Murray is back and prepared to assist the Pelicans overcome their 4-14 start to the season. The team’s biggest decline this year has been due to poor health. This season, Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, Jose Alvarado, Jordan Hawkins, CJ McCollum, Murray, and Zion Williamson have all missed time.
Hawkins, Murphy III, and McCollum are all back on the court, and the Pelicans are hoping Murray can help the team’s struggling offense. New Orleans has trouble starting their offense on a regular basis and is worst in the NBA in points scored. With 14 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds in the season opener, Murray almost recorded a triple-double, giving the Pelicans a taste of his potential.
The Pelicans can also benefit defensively from the former All-NBA defender. He and Herb Jones had been the top defensive players in thefts since 2022 going into this season. The Pelicans’ defense should be strengthened by Murray’s application of ball pressure on opposing offenses, which will allow them to force mistakes and create easy baskets.
Murray will probably be limited in minutes when he returns on Wednesday, according to head coach Willie Green, but his impact should be seen right away. The tip-off time is 7:00 p.m. CST.
