METAIRIE, La. — Dejounte Murray is set to make his return to the New Orleans Pelicans for their game against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night, following a fracture in his left hand sustained during the season opener against the Chicago Bulls on October 23. His thoughts will be closely aligned with his mother as he steps back onto the court.
After the team’s practice on Tuesday, Murray took the opportunity to share insights into personal matters that had kept him away from the team during the latter part of the preseason. He revealed that his mother suffered a stroke, which required his attention. “Leaving to deal with that situation was incredibly difficult. As she started to improve, she encouraged me to return to play,” Murray recalled, reflecting on his last-minute decision to participate in the game against Chicago.
Murray described how, after the injury at the end of that game, he felt it was a divine message to prioritize his mother’s care. “My mother was my main concern, and I wasn’t overly anxious about my recovery,” he said, emphasizing the importance of family during tough times. Fortunately, he noted that his mother is recovering well, and he is now fully fit and eager to support his team.
“I’m ready to play. This is for my mother, who will surely be watching,” he expressed. “I’m excited to compete and bring that winning mentality.” The Pelicans desperately need his return, as they have experienced a challenging stretch, losing 14 of their last 16 games after starting the season with two victories.
Injuries have plagued the team, affecting nearly every aspect of their lineup. At various points, all five starters have been sidelined. Star forward Zion Williamson has been out for 12 games due to a hamstring issue, and Herb Jones is dealing with a shoulder strain. Additionally, Brandon Ingram’s participation is uncertain after he missed practice on Tuesday due to calf soreness, which also kept him out in a loss against Indiana earlier this week.
Despite these struggles, Murray and fellow guard CJ McCollum are projected to return to action against the Raptors. “No matter how many games we’ve lost, I believe we can win every time I hit the court,” Murray stated confidently, recalling his contribution of 14 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds in his only previous game with the team. “That’s the mindset I have, and I think it can resonate with a lot of my teammates.”
