Pelicans Guard Dejounte Murray Ready to Return After Achilles Injury

Murray set to make his comeback against the Warriors after a 13-month rehabilitation

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Dejounte Murray is set to return to the New Orleans Pelicans lineup on Tuesday night against the Golden State Warriors, marking his comeback after a grueling 13-month rehabilitation from a ruptured right Achilles tendon. Despite significant organizational changes within the Pelicans franchise since his arrival, Murray is focused solely on contributing and playing the game he loves.

Why it matters

Murray's return is particularly notable given the overhaul in the Pelicans' front office since he was acquired in a trade two summers ago. The regime that brought him to New Orleans is no longer in place, replaced by Joe Dumars and a new vision for the team. Despite the Pelicans' current position near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, Murray's comeback represents a personal triumph over a significant injury and a renewed commitment to the game and the city of New Orleans.

The details

Murray's comeback comes after a 13-month rehabilitation process following a ruptured right Achilles tendon injury he suffered on January 31, 2025, against the Boston Celtics. He played in 30 games last season before the injury. Despite the challenging circumstances, including the organizational changes within the Pelicans, Murray is focused on contributing and playing the game he loves.

  • Murray is set to return to the Pelicans lineup on Tuesday night against the Golden State Warriors.
  • Murray suffered the ruptured Achilles tendon injury on January 31, 2025, against the Boston Celtics.
  • Murray played in 30 games last season before the injury.

The players

Dejounte Murray

A 29-year-old guard for the New Orleans Pelicans who is set to make his comeback after a 13-month rehabilitation from a ruptured right Achilles tendon.

Joe Dumars

The current head of basketball operations for the New Orleans Pelicans, who took over the role after the previous regime that acquired Murray was replaced.

Jeremiah Fears

The seventh overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft by the Pelicans, who some see as a potential long-term successor to Murray.

James Borrego

The interim head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, who acknowledged the complexities of integrating Murray back into the team's long-term plans.

David Griffin

The former executive vice president of basketball operations for the Pelicans, who orchestrated the trade that brought Murray to New Orleans.

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What they’re saying

“There's a lot of excuses for a chump to be like, 'Nah. I ain't playing,' And I'm the opposite of that.”

— Dejounte Murray, Pelicans Guard

“What I've been through, what I go through, I use that all to fuel the fire. I love the game and I put myself in a position to be able to say I want to go out and play for not only my family and organization, but also the City of New Orleans. I feel like my best basketball is ahead of me.”

— Dejounte Murray, Pelicans Guard

“He's the future; he's going to be great. My job is to continue to be a pro, work on my game and show him what it looks like. He's a confident young man, but also he's got to understand there's a lot of ups and downs.”

— Dejounte Murray, Pelicans Guard

“It speaks to his character — that he cares. I'm not saying that everybody coming off this injury would even play right now. This kid wants to play. He wants to be out there on the floor. He wants to compete. He wants to be out there with his teammates. He wants to win.”

— James Borrego, Pelicans Interim Head Coach

“It doesn't matter who's in the front office, who's the coaching staff. We've got to go out on the floor and play hard, and play the right way.”

— Dejounte Murray, Pelicans Guard

What’s next

Pelicans interim coach James Borrego acknowledged the complexities of integrating Murray back into the team's long-term plans, given the recent front office changes and the team's current trajectory. While Borrego expressed an inclination to play Murray on Tuesday, he didn't definitively confirm his playing time.

The takeaway

Murray's return represents not just a personal triumph over a significant injury, but a renewed commitment to the game and the city of New Orleans. Despite the organizational changes within the Pelicans franchise, Murray remains focused on contributing and mentoring the team's young talent, showing his dedication to the sport and the community.