Trey Murphy III Is Playing Like an All-Star - But the Pelicans’ Record Won’t Let Him Be One
The NBA All-Star Game has always been a tricky dance between individual brilliance and team success. And for Trey Murphy III, that dance is playing out in real time.
The numbers are there - loud and clear. The wins?
Not so much.
The New Orleans Pelicans came into the season with playoff expectations. But those hopes have been derailed by injuries to their biggest names.
Both Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray - former All-Stars and the cornerstones of this roster - have missed significant time. That’s left Murphy III to shoulder a heavy load, and while he’s risen to the occasion, the team around him hasn’t kept pace.
Murphy III has been the offensive engine for a team built on balance. Since November 8, he’s averaged 24.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and nearly two combined steals and blocks per game.
He’s shooting a blistering 52.9% from the field and 39.7% from deep. Those are All-Star numbers in any era, especially in today’s efficiency-obsessed league.
But here’s the catch: the Pelicans are just 8-23 over that same stretch. And since Christmas Eve, they’ve gone 2-11, sliding to the bottom of the standings. That kind of record doesn’t just hurt playoff chances - it buries individual recognition, no matter how impressive the stat line.
“As tough as it is, the biggest thing is winning games,” Murphy said. “But that'll come along as we progress and get better.”
That’s not just lip service. It’s a player who understands how the league works.
You can light up the scoreboard, but if your team’s not winning, the spotlight doesn’t follow. Murphy’s not bitter about it - just honest.
“At the end of the day, you've got to win games,” he added. “That's just realistic.
If you don't win games, you don't get rewarded with personal accolades. So, no matter how well I'm doing, it doesn't really matter because we are not winning games.”
It’s a mature perspective from a 25-year-old who’s not just putting up numbers - he’s growing into a leadership role on a team in transition. Murphy admitted it took him a few weeks to find his rhythm this season, especially with the uncertainty surrounding a potential coaching change.
But one moment stands out: November 8 against the Spurs. Murphy dropped 41 points and went toe-to-toe with Victor Wembanyama, earning respect and momentum.
“Probably the Spurs game when I had [41 points]. That's when I started feeling like myself again,” Murphy said.
“I think the biggest thing was finding a routine, and now I feel like I've found a routine that works for me. That's staying consistent.”
Consistency has been the theme of his season - even as the world around him has been anything but. Injuries have forced the Pelicans to shuffle lineups and lean on young players in ways they hadn’t planned.
Williamson has publicly stumped for Murphy’s All-Star case, but beyond that, there hasn’t been much of a push. And with Murray and Zion both sidelined, Murphy’s had to do more than just score - he’s had to lead.
That leadership hasn’t translated to wins, but it has revealed something important: Murphy isn’t just a role player with a hot hand. He’s evolving into a foundational piece. The kind of player you can build around - not just plug in.
Still, in the NBA, individual accolades are often tied to team success. And with the Pelicans buried in the standings, Murphy’s All-Star campaign may not get the traction it deserves. That’s the reality, and he knows it.
But don’t mistake his calm for complacency. Trey Murphy III is filing all of this away - the overlooked performances, the quiet nights on national TV, the lack of buzz.
He’s using it. Not as fuel for frustration, but as a reminder of what needs to change in New Orleans.
Because playing like an All-Star isn’t always enough. Sometimes, the league needs the wins to match the stats.
And right now, Murphy’s doing his part. It’s up to the rest of the Pelicans - and maybe a little bit of luck - to catch up.