The New Orleans Pelicans began their NBA season on a high note with a 123-111 victory over the Chicago Bulls. Brandon Ingram led the charge with 33 points, CJ McCollum added 23 points, while the team’s new acquisition, Dejounte Murray, was close to a triple-double, posting 14 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds. However, Murray’s impressive debut took a downturn when he suffered an injury during the game. Zach Lavine was the top scorer for the Bulls with 27 points and Nikola Vucevic finished the meeting with a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Josh Giddey concluded his very first game as a Bull with 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Tests confirm a fractured left hand for Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray, sources tell ESPN. Murray is now sidelined for an extended period of time. https://t.co/9XiJPg0ukZ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 24, 2024
Subsequent tests have confirmed that Murray has a fractured left hand, which will keep him sidelined for an extended period. This setback is a blow for both Murray and the Pelicans, who had high hopes for their new guard to make an impact this season. Murray’s injury now raises concerns for New Orleans as they navigate the early part of the season without one of their key players.