Pelicans ahead Trey Murphy III is more likely to miss the beginning of the common season with a right hamstring strain, per ESPN insider Tim MacMahon.
New Orleans announced Thursday that Murphy suffered the pressure throughout their coaching camp in Nashville, Tennesse. After an MRI confirmed his damage, Murphy will probably be re-evaluated in “roughly three weeks.”
Fashionable NBA historical past suggests {that a} hamstring pressure is a tough damage that would hinder a participant for prolonged durations of a season. As such, Murphy’s three-week restoration timeline doesn’t assure his availability for the season opener in opposition to the Bulls on Oct. 23 or the primary few months of the season.
If Murphy’s damage lingers by the season, it may very well be a devastating blow for a Pelicans crew hoping to construct on its 49-win season final yr. New Orleans was on monitor to complete a top-five seed final season earlier than accidents to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram derailed its momentum.
Murphy was a key cog of the crew that completed with the seventh seed, averaging 14.8 factors and 4.9 rebounds whereas capturing 38 p.c from three. Upon making at the very least 150 threes for a second consecutive season, Murphy joined teammate CJ McCollum as the one participant in franchise historical past to succeed in the mark. Moreover, Murphy additionally confirmed a ton of progress as a defensive participant, holding opponents to 42.2 p.c capturing because the closest defender, per Second Spectrum.
Many analysts had forecasted the three-and-D specialist to take one other leap this season, particularly with him being eligible for a contract extension earlier than the Oct. 21 deadline. Nonetheless, the most recent damage might dampen Murphy’s private progress and the Pelicans’ standing in a tough Western Convention.
In Murphy´s absence, Pelicans head coach Willie Inexperienced might rely closely on second-year wing Jordan Hawkins and rookie massive man Karlo Matkovic. The Pelicans are projected to start out Ingram, Williamson, Herb Jones, Dejounte Murray and Daniel Theis, with McCollum probably coming off the bench.
