In the New Orleans Pelicans’ final practice before their regular-season opener, two of their most important players did not participate.
Dejounte Murray remained away from the team while he tends to a family emergency. Zion Williamson also didn’t attend practice Tuesday because of an illness.
Murray and Williamson both will be game-time decisions against the Chicago Bulls, Pelicans coach Willie Green said.
“Welcome to the NBA,” Green said. “It is that mentality — next man up. We try not to make excuses about who is available. Every team is going to deal with having guys in and out over the course of the season. So it’s really by committee.
"Each and every guy on our team understands what we are trying to accomplish. Try to be as detailed as possible. And go and play with confidence.”
The Pelicans’ opening-night starting lineup has been a source of intrigue throughout training camp. Green has yet to reveal which combination of players he will use to start Wednesday’s game.
The fourth-year Pelicans coach could go small and start Murray, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram and Williamson together, assuming everyone is available.
It’s also possible Green finds a place for veteran center Daniel Theis in the starting lineup. Theis started all three preseason games, though that was related to Ingram and Williamson both sitting out portions of the preseason.
Ingram is entering the final year of his contract. He is owed $36 million this season. Next summer, he will become a restricted free agent.
This is not the first time Ingram has been in a contract year with the Pelicans. He played out the final year of his rookie deal with the team in 2019-20. He averaged 23.8 points per game, 6.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists that season and was named an All-Star. The Pelicans awarded him with a five-year, $158 million contract in the summer of 2020.
“I think for me right now it’s playing free,” Ingram said. “Enjoy playing the game of basketball. I’m healthy, so I feel good to be out there playing basketball. Just playing free and having fun.”
Contract extension a ‘blessing’
On Monday afternoon, Trey Murphy put pen to paper on a four-year contract extension worth $112 million. The 24-year-old forward had his parents come into town to celebrate the occasion with him.
“Those are two of my best friends,” Murphy said. “Definitely was glad to have them there.”
Murphy, the 17th pick in the 2021 draft, has helped the Pelicans reach the playoffs twice in the past three years. He has shot 39.2% from 3-point territory as a pro on nearly six attempts per game.
Murphy has started 88 games for the Pelicans in the past two seasons. If he is not a full-time starter in New Orleans this season, he should be soon.
“It’s been a blessing,” Murphy said. “Come a very long way. When I finally signed the papers, I thought about the mornings and nights I spent in the gym. Went to the G League. All of it was worth it. It’s a blessing being able to take care of my family.”
Murphy is sidelined with a right hamstring strain. He is able to shoot and do light jogging right now.
“I just started jogging," Murphy said. "Doing a little bit more ramping up. Haven’t sprinted yet. But I’m feeling pretty solid right now. It’s a tricky injury. Have to make sure we handle it with care.”