NEW ORLEANS — Dejounte Murray needed less than 20 seconds to score his first basket in more than a year and finished with 13 points, helping the New Orleans Pelicans hold off the Golden State Warriors 113-109 on Tuesday night.
The guard was limited to 25 minutes in his first appearance since rupturing his right Achilles tendon nearly 13 months ago. He opened the game with a driving layup and secured the win with another layup that put New Orleans up 108-103 with 1:04 remaining.
Murray also recorded three assists, two rebounds and a steal, though he committed five turnovers.
“I’ve been through a lot,” Murray said. “I keep my chest out, chin up, smiling. And I’m just ready to see where it goes from here.”
Zion Williamson led New Orleans with 26 points and praised Murray’s floor leadership. “He has a way of just keeping everybody engaged, even when you get frustrated,” Williamson said.
Head coach James Borrego saved part of Murray’s minute allotment for the closing stretch. “He looked like his old self. He didn’t miss a beat,” Borrego said. “Really proud of him and just happy for him to embrace this moment.”
After the final horn, Murray’s daughter ran onto the court for a hug. In the locker room, teammates greeted him with a loud celebration. “It was great, but I’m ready for the next game,” Murray said. The Pelicans have 23 regular-season games remaining.
“I’m hungry,” he added. “I’m starving.”
Source: ESPN
