The experience Trey Murphy got last season due to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram missing a combined 90 games was a silver lining of the New Orleans Pelicans’ injury woes.
Murphy started 65 games. The 6-foot-9 forward showed massive growth, as he raised his scoring average by more than nine points between his first and second seasons (from 5.4 ppg to 14.5 ppg).
This season, Murphy had not logged a start until Thursday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Zion Williamson did not make the trip to Ohio because of an illness. Murphy started in his place, and he did not waste his opportunity. Murphy scored a season-high 28 points in the Pelicans’ 123-104 win.
“I feel great,” Murphy told Bally Sports New Orleans on the post-game broadcast. “I’m getting back into my rhythm. I’m getting back into the flow of things. It’s just in time for the dog days of the season. I have fresh legs for those times.”
Thursday was Murphy’s ninth game of the season. He missed the Pelicans’ first 19 games because he was recovering from left knee surgery. Murphy tore the lateral meniscus in his left knee in September. His reintegration into the Pelicans’ rotation has looked seamless. Murphy is averaging 16.3 points in 25.6 minutes. He is shooting 51.0% from the floor and 43.1% from 3 on more than six attempts per game.
Murphy splashed six 3-pointers Thursday. Murphy had multiple makes from beyond 30 feet. In between them, Murphy added in several baskets at the rim.
“He’s starting to put the ball on the floor a little bit more,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said. “Shot fake. Drive. Go finish. And he’s finding his teammates as well. He’s a weapon for us for sure."
Murphy shot 4 of 6 inside the restricted area. His ability to score off the dribble has been one of his biggest areas of growth since the Pelicans drafted him with the 17th pick in 2021.
In Murphy’s rookie season, there were not many positive outcomes when he put the ball on the floor. He averaged 1.1 drives per game, according to NBA.com tracking data. He shot 21.4% on those drives.
This season, Murphy is averaging 5.5 drives per game while converting 61.9% of those shots. He is averaging close to five points per contest off drives. While his best skill remains outside shooting, it is not accurate to label Murphy a one-dimensional player.
The Pelicans weathered significant injury issues early in the season and are still 17-12. They rank 14th in offense and 11th in defense. More minutes from Murphy could help New Orleans become a more dynamic offensive team. The Pelicans are averaging 122.0 points per 100 possessions with Murphy on the court, which is nearly equal to the clip of 122.1 points per 100 possessions the Indiana Pacers — the NBA's top-ranked offensive team — are producing at.
Murphy’s quick trigger, deep range and improved ability to attack creases in the defense off the dribble make him an excellent fit next to Williamson and Ingram, New Orleans’ best two creators.
“B.I. told me before the game, ‘I have to get you more involved. It’s definitely going to help our team,' " Murphy said. “We saw that tonight. Just glad to have a leader like that on the team looking out for his guys.”