By Rell Wright, Pelicans Contributor
The New Orleans Pelicans suffered a significant blow to their 2024-25 campaign as the team announced that Trey Murphy III will miss the remainder of the season following a dislocated right shoulder that resulted in a torn labrum and partial rotator cuff tear.
The injury occurred during the first quarter of a matchup against the Detroit Pistons when Murphy, battling for a loose ball with Pistons rookie Ausar Thompson, fell awkwardly while bracing his fall. An MRI later confirmed the severity of the injury, abruptly ending what had been a breakout season for the 23-year-old forward.
Murphy’s stellar performance this season included career highs in points (21.6), rebounds (5.2), and assists (3.6), cementing him as a cornerstone of the Pelicans’ promising future.
Murphy’s absence is a devastating setback for a Pelicans team already dealing with an injury-plagued season. Far from being in the playoff race, the Pelicans are on the way to the NBA lottery and currently hold a 14% chance to land the perceived top pick, Cooper Flagg, from Duke.
The team’s injury woes have been extensive, impacting several key players throughout the year. Brandon Boston is sidelined with a left ankle stress reaction, Herbert Jones underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, and Dejounte Murray’s season was cut short due to a torn right Achilles tendon.
These setbacks have left the Pelicans struggling to field a consistent lineup and raised questions about the durability and future direction of their core.
