Hold onto your hats, folks! The New Orleans Pelicans kicked off their season with a bang, and not in the way they hoped. Dejounte Murray, their shiny new guard, is already sidelined with a busted hand. Ouch.
Murray’s Rough Debut
So, here’s the scoop: Murray, who just joined the Pelicans from the Hawks, was doing his thing against the Bulls – dropping 14 points, dishing out 10 dimes, and snagging eight boards. But then, disaster struck. With two minutes left, he launched a three and got fouled by Zach LaVine. Next thing you know, he’s clutching his left hand like it’s made of glass. Talk about a rough start!
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray is feared to have a fractured left hand, sources tell ESPN. Difficult opening night injury for Pelicans and Murray, who posted 14 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in season-opening victory over Chicago.
– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
Playing Through Pain
Even with his hand screaming at him, Murray wasn’t about to back down. He nailed two out of three free throws before calling it a night. Gotta respect the hustle. His teammate CJ McCollum mentioned, “Hopefully, he’s not out too long.” I think it’s safe to say we’re all crossing our fingers on that one. Murray’s debut was a bittersweet affair; he joined the ranks of Elfrid Payton and Baron Davis as one of the few Pelicans to hit double-digit assists in their first game. Not bad for a guy playing through pain!
Off-Court Drama
But wait, there’s more drama! Before this whole hand fiasco, Murray had already been dealing with some personal stuff. He’d left the team for a family emergency, which had everyone wondering if he’d even make it to the opener. Talk about a rollercoaster week. And speaking of missing players, Zion Williamson was also MIA due to illness. Seriously, the Pelicans can’t catch a break.
What’s Next?
The Pelicans are hitting the road to face the Trail Blazers next. Will they bounce back, or will this injury bug keep biting? Only time will tell. But here’s a thought: Could this be the year the Pelicans finally shake off their bad luck and make a serious playoff push?
