TITLE: Murray’s comeback sparks Pelicans; Williamson hits contract milestone, Murphy and Missi still sidelined
SLUG: murray-comeback-pelicans-williamson-milestone-injury-updates
CONTENT:
The New Orleans Pelicans, freed of any incentive to tank because they do not own their 2026 first-round pick, continued a recent upswing by defeating the Golden State Warriors at home on Tuesday. The victory moved the club to 7-6 since January 23 after opening the season 10-36.
Interim head coach James Borrego called the 109-104 win “a big, clutch win for our group,” highlighting rookie Derik Queen for changing the game in the third quarter. Queen finished with eight points on 4-of-13 shooting but logged a +8 in 18 bench minutes, scoring three straight baskets during a pivotal run. “Queen was massive during that stretch. We don’t win that game without him,” Borrego said.
Murray returns from Achilles tear
Dejounte Murray played for the first time since tearing his left Achilles on January 31, 2025. Reinserted directly into the starting lineup, the veteran guard posted 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting, and the revamped first unit outscored Golden State during their 10 minutes together. “He looked like his old self. He didn’t miss a beat,” Borrego noted, adding that a “massive celebration” followed in the locker room.
Murray, focused on the club’s remaining 23 games, told reporters, “I’m hungry. I’m starving.” He also refuted pre-deadline speculation that he had sought a trade, writing on social media that executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars and the organization knew he was “locked in to come back better than ever.”
Williamson’s durability boosts future salary
Zion Williamson, who scored 26 points against the Warriors, has now appeared in 33 consecutive games—his healthiest stretch in years. By playing 41 or more contests this season, the forward has already triggered a 40 percent guarantee on his $42.17 million salary for 2026-27. The guarantee will rise to 60 percent if he reaches 51 games, 80 percent at 61 games, and 100 percent if he plays at least 61 games and meets weight benchmarks. Regardless, league observers expect the Pelicans—or any team that might acquire him—to keep him under contract past July 15, when the full amount would become guaranteed.
Injury updates
Forward Trey Murphy III (right shoulder contusion) and rookie center Yves Missi (left calf strain) will miss Thursday’s game in Utah. It will be Murphy’s fourth straight absence since the All-Star break and Missi’s fifth.
New Orleans faces the Jazz on Thursday looking to continue its recent improvement and close the gap on a play-in spot.
Source: Hoops Rumors
