Pelicans wing Trey Murphy has been diagnosed with a torn labrum and partial tear of the rotator cuff in his right shoulder, the team announced late on Monday night (via Twitter). Murphy underwent an MRI to confirm the diagnosis.
The injury occurred less than one minute into Monday’s blowout loss to Detroit. Murphy had a pass knocked away by Pistons wing Ausar Thompson on the Pelicans’ opening possession and dove on the floor trying to corral the loose ball (video link). He stayed down in obvious pain, grabbing at his shoulder, which was dislocated on the play, per the club.
Murphy will miss the remainder of the 2024/25 season as a result of the injury.
The Pelicans are well out of postseason contention at this point, so Murphy’s absence for the final few weeks of the season won’t compromise their ability to contend. Still, it’s the latest setback in what has been a brutal, injury-plagued year for the franchise.
Virtually all of New Orleans’ key players missed significant time as a result of some sort of health issue this season, with Murphy the third starter to suffer a season-ending injury — Dejounte Murray tore his Achilles tendon in late January, while Herbert Jones underwent surgery in February to address a shoulder injury similar to Murphy’s.
The Pelicans didn’t offer any additional updates on Murphy’s treatment plan or recovery timeline, so it’s unclear if and when he’ll undergo surgery and how much time it might take him to get back to 100%. The club stated that further updates will be shared as appropriate.
Although it has been a forgettable season in New Orleans, it was a career year statistically for Murphy, who increased his scoring average to 21.1 points per game while also setting career highs in rebounds (5.1) and assists (3.5) per game. The fourth-year swingman started 51 of the 53 games he played in ’24/25, posting a shooting line of .454/.361/.887.
Murphy signed a four-year, $112MM rookie scale extension with the Pelicans last offseason. That contract will go into effect for the 2025/26 league year.
What a shame. Hope the pelicans can heal up and fly high next season…
Tony Montana’s voice: Come on pelican fly
Say hello to my little friend…Jose alvarado
Should have traded Murray and Missi for Claxton or Vucevic and something
Are you crazy this is a tank season right now so that trade would have done nothing but put them in worse financial debt. Next Year everybody is healthy they have a complete squad that can make the playoffs as well as a run.
I agree here, no drastic changes till the trade deadline for NO at minimum
The hope is a Mini Memphis quick turnaround after they had a similar dreaded year just last year as well
NO Zion trade…yet
They should have use of most of the MLE…they could really use a guy like Bobby Portis in town if there’s a window to maybe get a good deal on him bc of the suspension this summer
Wonder if Cooper would even want to go to Pelicans. Move Zion at draft.
He is going to Utah unless somehow he goes to San Antonio
I’m hoping the Knicks swap Bridges & Mitch (or) OG and Mitch for Zion, Murphy & Alvarado.
This is with the knowledge that New Orleans coveted Bridges before he was traded to NY and obviously there are rumors of Zion being linked to the Knicks. Murphy would be a perfect player for Coach Thibs system and Alvarado could be a great upgrade from Payne.
OG makes the same $ as Zion if I’m not mistaken…
Mitch and Zion are both dominant players when they are actually healthy, so could be a match of frequently injured players
Why would NO trade their young stars for older just as good players
Nobody wants Zion ……. keep him away from NY
NYK would need some HEAVY draft capital to pull that, which they don’t have
I don’t think Murphy will be for sale either, Zion not yet as well unless heavily overpayed for (w draft capital+)