Dejounte Murray is back in action.
After spending over a year rehabilitating from a serious ACL injury, Murray made a strong return to the court against the Golden State Warriors on February 24th, immediately stepping into the starting lineup for New Orleans.
In 25 minutes of play, Murray posted a solid 13 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal. While it was clear he was shaking off some rust, his agility and intensity were evident. His first basket was a spectacular double-clutch reverse layup, showcasing his athleticism and determination.
Following the victory over the Warriors, Murray addressed Pelicans fans who might have lost faith in the team:
"Are we a contender? No.
Can we reach a top 6 spot? No.
Can we build momentum and develop winning habits for the rest of the season? Yes.
Can we treat every game like a championship and aim for the play-in spots? Absolutely."
Murray's assessment is spot on. The Pelicans are too far behind in the standings to realistically aim for a top 6 seed, currently trailing the 6th-seed Lakers by 18 games with only around 25 games left in the season.
However, the gap to the 9th and 10th-seeded Blazers and Clippers is just 11 games. While challenging, it's not out of reach, especially with Portland potentially focusing on their draft pick and the Clippers having traded away James Harden.
Murray is exactly the leader the Pelicans need.
He's a fierce competitor, and his time in Atlanta showed his passion for winning. Murray's frustration with the negative discourse around the Pelicans is understandable, given the season is far from over.
His fiery spirit is contagious both on and off the court. His determination to treat every game as a championship is precisely the mindset the Pelicans need.
As Murray aims to prove his worth post-injury, expect New Orleans to rack up more wins. This resurgence could also serve as a statement to his former team in Atlanta, who are eyeing a top pick in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft.