New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray broke his left hand during his debut with the team on Wednesday night and will be sidelined indefinitely, the team confirmed Thursday.
Pelicans coach Willie Green said Murray was undergoing tests to determine the severity of the fracture.
“We are getting those opinions right now as we speak,” Green told reporters. “We’ll have more information about what those next steps will be. But we know he’ll be out for some time.”
In another development, forward Zion Williamson will play Friday against the host Portland Trail Blazers after missing the opener with an illness.
Murray produced 14 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds as New Orleans beat the visiting Chicago Bulls 123-111. The injury occurred with 2:21 to play in the fourth quarter and the Pelicans leading by 12.
Murray attempted a 3-pointer, was fouled by Zach LaVine and fell to the floor. He was in some discomfort as he was helped up — by his right arm — but went to the foul line and made 2 of 3 attempts.
“Hopefully, he’s not out too long,” Pelicans guard CJ McCollum said after the game. “He looked at me and said his hand didn’t feel right. He just continued to play. … He battled through, he played and played well considering those circumstances.”
Green said the timing was rough but also part of life in the NBA.
“We are kinda just getting started, just getting going,” Green said. “But at the same time, we understand that in this league and in life, you’re going to face adversity. The good thing about it is it’s not a long-term injury that will keep him out for a whole season.”
Murray, 28, started for New Orleans and played 30 minutes in his first game since he was acquired from Atlanta in a July trade. The Hawks received Dyson Daniels, E.J. Liddell, Larry Nance Jr., Cody Zeller and two first-round picks.
The Spurs drafted Murray in the first round in 2016 out of Washington and he remained in San Antonio through the 2021-22 season — his only All-Star campaign.
Last season, Murray averaged a career-high 22.5 points to go with 5.3 rebounds and 6.4 assists. In 473 career games (402 starts), he has averages of 15.4 points, 5.3 assists and 5.8 rebounds.
The Pelicans also remain without stellar shooter Trey Murphy III (hamstring).
–Field Level Media
