The New Orleans Pelicans will get one star back Friday night but another will be out for an indefinite period as they open a two-game set against the host Portland Trail Blazers.
Zion Williamson will be back in the lineup after an illness prevented him from playing in the seasoning-opening 123-111 home win over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.
But Dejounte Murray broke his left hand late in the game and it remains unknown when he’ll return.
“We are getting those opinions right now as we speak,” New Orleans coach Willie Green said Thursday. “We’ll have more information about what those next steps will be. But we know he’ll be out for some time.”
Murray was acquired from the Atlanta Hawks in the offseason to shore up the backcourt. He is a stellar all-around player who averaged a career-high 22.5 points last season to go with 6.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals.
“We hate when our guys go down,” Green said. “I hate it for Dejounte and our group. We are kinda just getting started, just getting going. But at the same time, we understand that in this league and in life, you’re going to face adversity. The good thing about it is it’s not a long-term injury that will keep him out for a whole season.”
The loss of Murray leaves the Pelicans missing two key players. Stellar shooter Trey Murphy III (hamstring) remains out and might not return until next month.
Williamson wasn’t at the arena Wednesday night after being scratched due to his illness. But he practiced Thursday and is a full-go for the contests in Portland.
Murray had 14 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in his New Orleans debut. Brandon Ingram poured in 33 points and CJ McCollum added 23.
Portland opened its season Wednesday and was mauled 139-104 by the visiting Golden State Warriors.
The Trail Blazers started strong as Golden State missed its first nine shots. But the Warriors dominated the final 42-plus minutes.
“It was a little embarrassing for the first game,” Portland center Deandre Ayton said.
Over the final three quarters, the Trail Blazers were outscored 118-83.
“It was very disappointing,” Portland coach Chauncey Billups said. “You’ve got to give them credit, they came and did what they do. I really did think we were prepared for what they did. … It just felt like we were two steps slow on everything. Defensively, offensively, we just waited to react all game. You can’t do that against a team like that.”
Second-year guard Scoot Henderson scored a team-best 22 points off the bench for Portland. Jerami Grant added 16 points while Deni Avdija and Anfernee Simons each added 15.
Ayton, who had 10 points and 11 rebounds, said the on-floor communication wasn’t up to par.
“This is the NBA. We have 81 more to go,” Ayton said. “… We’re going to figure it out. I feel it was a jittery game where we didn’t play our type of basketball.”
Portland will again be without Shaedon Sharpe (shoulder), Robert Williams III (hamstring) and Matisse Thybulle (knee).
The Pelicans went 3-0 against the Trail Blazers last season and have won the past six meetings.
McCollum, a former Portland star, had outings of 30 and 29 points against the Trail Blazers last season. He had just eight points in the other matchup.
–Field Level Media
