Murray finds his spark again in New Orleans

Dejounte Murray’s return to the court in New Orleans marked the end of one of the toughest chapters of his career. The Pelicans guard admitted that recovering from a torn Achilles was even more demanding than the ACL rehab he endured years earlier. The final 14 games of the season, all as a starter, gave him the rhythm and belief he feared lost, allowing him to average 16.7 points, 6.4 assists and 5.4 rebounds on strong efficiency.

Murray described the mental toll of watching his calf shrink, struggling to perform a simple calf raise and relying on a scooter for weeks. Discipline and daily work kept him moving forward. Despite the Pelicans’ 26‑56 record, the chance to chase the Play‑In pushed him to finish the season.

Once an elite two‑way guard and former All‑Star, Murray now enters 2026‑27 focused solely on proving to himself that he is back—healthy, confident and ready to lead.