Dejounte Murray’s season has come to an unfortunate end as the New Orleans Pelicans announced on Saturday that the talented guard has ruptured his right Achilles tendon, requiring an extensive rehabilitation process ahead.
This injury adds to a tumultuous season plagued by injuries for the Pelicans, who began the year with optimism, hoping that a core group consisting of Murray, Zion Williamson, and Brandon Ingram would propel them back into the playoffs.
Unfortunately, the trio was never able to play together at any point during the season.
Murray sustained the injury during a game against the Boston Celtics on Friday night. The non-contact nature of the injury immediately raised concerns that he may have torn his Achilles tendon. After driving to the basket and missing a shot, he attempted to pursue the rebound but collapsed on the court, clutching the back of his right foot before slowly making his way to the bench.
Following the game, an MRI confirmed the rupture was performed that same night. Even before the official diagnosis, players and Coach Willie Green expressed their concern after the Pelicans narrowly lost 118-116 to the reigning champions.
“It sucks, bro,” said guard Jose Alvarado. “That’s my dawg. At the end of the day, we’re human beings, and when I saw it, I felt bad for him. I can’t really explain it. It’s something that I knew wasn’t looking good… He loves this game, and I know how much he loves it. It’s unfortunate.”
This marks the second serious leg injury for the 28-year-old Murray in his professional career. He missed the 2018-19 season after tearing his right ACL during preseason, an injury that sidelined him during what would have been his third year with the San Antonio Spurs.
As of Saturday, the Pelicans hold a 12-37 record, placing them near the bottom of the Western Conference and far from any playoff contention. Injuries have greatly contributed to their dismal performance this year.
Murray had already missed 17 games earlier this season due to a broken hand. Williamson has been absent for 36 games for various issues, mostly related to a left hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Ingram has missed the last 25 games due to a sprained left ankle.
Additionally, Herb Jones, known for being one of the elite defenders in the league, has sat out 29 games with a right shoulder injury. CJ McCollum has been sidelined for 13 games because of an adductor strain, and Alvarado has missed 23 games due to a hamstring problem.
All these setbacks have ensured that the Pelicans’ season never gained the momentum they were hoping for. Coach Green also highlighted impactful off-the-court events that have overshadowed their struggles on the basketball court, alluding to events such as the New Year’s Eve truck attack in New Orleans’ French Quarter that claimed 14 lives, alongside recent plane crashes in Washington and Philadelphia.
“This is NBA difficulty,” Green noted. “What we just saw on the news, that’s real-life difficulty. Keeping that in perspective is important.” He added that when losing in the NBA, teams can reset and try again, but real-life challenges require a more substantial approach.
Murray concludes his season with averages of 17.5 points, 7.4 assists, and 6.5 rebounds per game. He is in the first year of a four-year, $114.2 million deal and was regarded as the most significant addition to the Pelicans’ roster when he was traded from Atlanta last summer.
Recovering from an Achilles tendon tear can take up to a year in some cases, and it is anticipated that Murray’s rehab will extend for several months. This raises concerns about his availability in time for the opening night of next season, usually scheduled for mid-to-late October.
Pelicans announce that Dejounte Murray has torn his Achilles tendon, ending his season.
