New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray will not return for the remainder of the NBA season following a torn Achilles sustained during a matchup against the Boston Celtics. The injury occurred in the first quarter of the game, which ended in a narrow loss for the Pelicans, 118-116. Murray reportedly sustained the non-contact injury while pursuing an offensive rebound after missing a shot.

The 28-year-old player, who earned All-Star honors in 2022, was averaging 17.9 points, 7.6 assists, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game at the time of his injury. This season has been fraught with challenges for the Pelicans, resulting in several key players being sidelined due to long-term injuries. Heading into the contest against Boston, New Orleans had played 48 games, with only four players remaining who have not missed ten or more games.

This season's struggles are amplified by the absences of pivotal team members, including Brandon Ingram, who has been out for nearly two months due to an ankle sprain, and Zion Williamson, who missed 27 games with a hamstring strain. Additionally, defensive standout Herbert Jones is currently out indefinitely due to a torn labrum. The Pelicans, who had high expectations following a 49-win season and playoff appearance last year, now find themselves significantly affected by injuries, culminating in the loss of Murray, which presents yet another setback for the team.