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Pelicans Dealt Unfortunate News on Friday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Jan 31, 2025 11:16 PM ET

The New Orleans Pelicans entered Friday night's game against the Boston Celtics with a 12-36 record.

Heading into the weekend, the Pelicans were second-to-last in the Western Conference, just two games ahead of the Utah Jazz. Then, the Pelicans lost to the Celtics in New Orleans, 118-116, in a surprisingly close game.

However, things got even worse for the Pelicans as star guard Dejounte Murray left the game early with an injury and was unable to return.

Shortly after the game ended, the Pelicans received a crushing injury update regarding Murray, per NBA insider Chris Haynes.

"New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray tore his Achilles and will miss the rest of the season, league sources tell @ChrisBHaynes."

Murray is in his first season with the Pelicans after coming over from the Atlanta Hawks via a trade.

On the year, Murray was averaging 17.9 points per game in just north of 33 minutes per contest.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray tore his Achilles and will miss the rest of the season, league sources tell @ChrisBHaynes.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 1, 2025

Murray suffered the injury in the first quarter after he fell to the floor following a rebound.

After he left, Jose Alvarado and Brandon Boston Jr. combined for 30 points in a combined 62 minutes.

Dejounte Murray was helped to the locker room after suffering an apparent non-contact injury on this play pic.twitter.com/4HVeiNwduI
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 1, 2025

The Pelicans have been struck by the injury bug this season. Star big man Zion Williamson has played just 13 games and missed Friday's game with an illness. Forward Brandon Ingram has played just 18 games and has been out since the beginning of December.

Now, Murray is out for the year, and the Pelicans season took another unfortunate turn.

The Pelicans next play on Monday night on the road against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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