New Orleans Pelicanspromising young forwardTrey Murphy IIIis set to spend a substantial chunk of the upcoming NBA season on the sidelines. The Pelicans announced on Thursday that Murphy had undergone successful surgery to address a meniscus issue in his left knee, a procedure that will likely keep him out of action for the next 10 to 12 weeks. The injury occurred during a routine workout at the team’s practice facility earlier this week, marking an unfortunate twist of fate for the 23-year-old.
The #Pelicans announced today that forward Trey Murphy III underwent a successful partial meniscectomy and received a biologic injection in his left knee this afternoon.
The surgery was performed by Dr. David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York.… pic.twitter.com/XAlYGg1Z9o
Last season, Trey Murphy III emerged as one of the league’s most improved players, showcasing his sharpshooting prowess with a 40.6% accuracy from beyond the arc while maintaining an impressive 90.5% free throw conversion rate.
His contributions extended beyond the stat sheet, as his confidence and ability to thrive in transition situations propelled him to another level of play. Murphy’s absence leaves a significant void in the Pelicans’ roster, as he was viewed as the ideal bridge between Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, combining defensive talents with the ability to stretch the floor effectively.
In light of this injury setback, the Pelicans will have to rely on other defensive stalwarts like Naji Marshall and Dyson Daniels to pick up the slack. Additionally, the 2023 first-round pick, Jordan Hawkins, is expected to step in and help offset the shooting lost due to Murphy’s absence.
While the road to recovery may be long, New Orleans remains hopeful that Murphy will return stronger than ever, ready to contribute his unique skill set to the team’s pursuit of success in the upcoming 2023/24 NBA season.
