NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Boston Celtics narrowly edged out the New Orleans Pelicans with a score of 118-116 on January 31, 2025, but the victory was overshadowed by the unfortunate injury suffered by Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray.
Murray left the game just minutes after it began, falling to the floor with pain registering on his face. The injury occurred during a chasing play after he drove to the basket and shot. He seemed to grab at the area near his right foot, which alarmed teammates and fans alike. Coach Willie Green shared his concern, saying, "It’s a challenge. It’s a challenge,” reflecting the strain the team has faced this season. Despite their effort, the Pelicans were already grappling with missing star players like Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
Jose Alvarado, one of Murray's teammates, lauded Murray's mental fortitude even after the injury. "He’s one of the toughest soldiers I know," Alvarado stated after the game. Murray's struggles with injuries had accumulated this season, previously missing 17 games due to a broken hand. Alvarado continued, expressing his admiration, "He held his head high. He was waiting for us at halftime… I send my prayers up to you," addressing the emotional impact Murray has on the team.
While the Pelicans fought valiantly, pushing the defending champions to the limit, the shadow of Murray’s possible extended absence looms over the franchise. Trey Murphy III, who put on an impressive performance scoring 40 points, noted the shared burden of watching their teammate get hurt, saying, “It hurt a lot, I can’t lie to you.” Murphy recognized the adversity the team has faced throughout the season, yet remained hopeful, hinting at bigger messages coming from these challenges.
Boston, now bolstered to 34-15 after the victory, also saw standout performances from Jaylen Brown, who scored 28 points, and the game-winner from superstar Jayson Tatum, sealing his team's clutch victory with just 0.2 seconds left on the clock. Tatum received praise from basketball commentators who characterized the shot as, “JAYSON TATUM FOR THE WIN NAILS THE FADING MIDDY WITH 0.2 SECONDS LEFT! CLUTCH. BUCKET. GETTER.” Tatum's calm composure under pressure was evident as he finished the game with 27 points and 10 assists.
Despite the heartbreak of losing, this game represented the Pelicans' resilience. For the franchise with aspirations for the playoffs, their fight against the Celtics, albeit unsuccessful, showed glimpses of their potential. The team’s next matchups will be pivotal, especially concerning Murray's status as tests were set to follow for his injury.
With the Pelicans currently sitting at 12-37 — next to last in the Western Conference rankings — the consequences of Murray's injury could be particularly severe, adding to issues of continuity and team morale. Coach Green emphasized the need for support for their injured comrade, saying, “We’ll continue to pray for him and see what happens once he gets the imaging.”
The tough 118-116 loss encapsulates the struggles faced by the Pelicans this season, characterized by injuries and inconsistent performances. The emotions ran high as the game ended, leaving fans and players alike pondering the current state of their beleaguered team. The upcoming days will be challenging as they wait for updates on Murray's condition and assess how best to move forward without their influential guard.