Last year, Trey Murphy was sidelined for the first part of his third NBA season due to a left knee injury.Now, he may miss several games at the beginning of his fourth season due to a right leg injury.
Last week, he strained his right hamstring during practice, and the following day, the Pelicans announced that he would be “re-examined in approximately three weeks.”
On Thursday, Murphy stated that it’s too early to know when he might be able to return.
“Hamstring injuries can be unpredictable,” he noted. “You can’t be sure how your body will respond.”
Although he has been seen practicing 3-point shots and is currently able to shoot and lift weights, he cannot run. “It’s really tough. It hurts a lot to not start the season again.
I did everything I could over the summer to be ready, and then this happens, which is frustrating. But looking at it from a broader perspective, it could be worse. Fortunately, it’s an NBA season, and I’ll be there for most of it.”
The Pelicans are scheduled to kick off their regular season against the Chicago Bulls on October 23, three weeks after Murphy’s injury.
Last season, he averaged 14.8 points in 57 games, with a shooting percentage of 38.0% from 3-point range on 7.8 attempts per game, which is comparable to the stats of San Antonio Spurs wing Devin Vassell (38.7% on 7.0 attempts) from the 2022-23 season, who received a five-year, $135 million contract extension last year.
Murphy is now in the final year of his rookie contract, and he and the Pelicans have until October 21 to discuss a contract extension.
If they fail to reach an agreement, he will become a restricted free agent next summer, which would allow the Pelicans to match any offers he receives. “I love it here,” Murphy said during media day in September.
“I love the city and my teammates. I definitely want to stay. I’m ready for either scenario—whether I sign or don’t sign. But ultimately, I hope to remain here and that we can come to an agreement.”
Murphy and Brandon Ingram will not play in the preseason game against the Miami Heat on Sunday.
Ingram, who is not injured and has participated fully in practice this week, will only take part in one preseason game: Tuesday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets.
Earlier this week, Pelicans coach Green used a starting lineup that included Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Zion Williamson, and Daniel Theis in a game against the Orlando Magic.
Green noted that he is more open to changing his starting lineup on a game-to-game basis this season compared to previous years. “Ideally, we’d like to have some consistency, but it may be more flexible than it has been in the past,” he said.
Murphy has started 89 games for the Pelicans, mostly during the 2022-23 season when both Williamson and Ingram were out for extended periods. He aspires to become a full-time starter in the NBA soon.
“I truly believe I’m a starter,” he declared. “In the NBA, I see myself as a starter. It’s not entirely up to me, but whatever happens, I’ll be fine.”
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