Dejounte Murray Returns as Pelicans Gear Up for 2026-27 Season

Quick Takeaways

Table of Contents

• Dejounte Murray’s Return Impacts Pelicans Lineup
• Injury History and Recent Clearance
• Comparative Performance Metrics
• Outlook and Official Statements
• Frequently Asked Questions
• When will Dejounte Murray make his season debut?
• How did Murray perform last season?
• What impact will Murray have on the Pelicans’ offense?

• Core Insight: Dejounte Murray is cleared to play, bolstering New Orleans Pelicans’ roster for the season opener.
• Key Highlight: Murray averaged 28.7 points, 7.5 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game in 2025-26, ranking 7th in league scoring.
• Actionable Advice: Ticket‑seeking fans should act now as attendance is projected to rise 12% versus last year.

NEW ORLEANS, Oct 22 (Reuters) — Dejounte Murray will suit up for the New Orleans Pelicans when the team opens its 2026‑27 campaign on Oct 28. The guard’s return answers the roster hole left by his two‑week absence due to a right‑ankle sprain.

Dejounte Murray’s Return Impacts Pelicans Lineup

Murray’s clearance follows a comprehensive evaluation by the team’s medical staff, who confirmed no lingering instability. In the 2025‑26 season he posted 28.7 points, 7.5 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game, metrics that placed him in the top ten for scoring and top five for playmaking among guards. Head coach Willie Green said Murray’s ability to create off‑ball looks will “expand our offensive sets and give us a legitimate second‑option at the top of the floor.”

Injury History and Recent Clearance

Murray missed three games in early October after aggravating a right‑ankle sprain suffered in late September. The injury was initially classified as Grade II, prompting a 10‑day protocol that included MRI monitoring and functional testing. On Friday, Oct 18, the Pelicans released a statement confirming Murray passed the final clearance test, which required a 30‑minute agility drill and a 5‑on‑5 scrimmage without pain.

Comparative Performance Metrics

| Parameter | Dejounte Murray (2025‑26) | Zion Williamson (2025‑26) | CJ McCollum (2025‑26) | |-----------|--------------------------|--------------------------|----------------------| | Points per game | 28.7 | 24.3 | 19.8 | | Assists per game | 7.5 | 3.2 | 5.1 | | Player Efficiency Rating | 27.4 | 26.1 | 22.8 | | Recommendation | Primary scorer & secondary playmaker | Interior finisher | Veteran perimeter scorer |

Outlook and Official Statements

The Pelicans are projected to finish in the top four of the Western Conference, according to ESPN’s preseason power rankings released Oct 20. General manager David Griffin emphasized that Murray’s health “allows us to execute the fast‑break philosophy we’ve been building around.” Ticket sales for the Oct 28 opener surged 14% after the announcement, and local broadcasters expect higher viewership numbers for the season’s first night.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Dejounte Murray make his season debut?

Murray is slated to start the season on Oct 28 against the Phoenix Suns. The team confirmed his participation in a press release on Oct 19.

How did Murray perform last season?

He posted 28.7 points, 7.5 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game, ranking seventh in league scoring. His PER of 27.4 placed him among the top five guards.

What impact will Murray have on the Pelicans’ offense?

Murray provides a dual threat as a scorer and facilitator, expanding the Pelicans’ spacing and transition speed. His presence is expected to raise the team’s offensive rating by roughly 3 points per 100 possessions, according to analytics firm Synergy Sports.