New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray suffered a fracture in his left hand during their 123-111 win over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday in their season opener, sources told ESPN.
Tests confirmed the injury to the former All-Star, which will be out for a long time.
Murray had 14 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds in his debut with New Orleans, which he acquired in an offseason trade with the Atlanta Hawks.
He appeared to suffer or aggravate the injury with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter. With New Orleans leading by 12, Murray attempted a 3-pointer from the top of the key and was fouled by Zach LaVine on his way down. Murray fell and rose, holding on with his left hand, then refused help when a teammate tried to pick him up again with that hand.
Murray was still able to go to the free throw line, making 2 of 3, but was permanently substituted with one minute to play.
He did not speak to reporters after the match.
“I hope he’s not out for a long time,” Pelicans guard CJ McCollum said.
“He looked at me and said his hand wasn’t feeling well. He kept playing… He fought and played well considering the circumstances.”
Murray’s status for the opener was in doubt even before his injury after he left the team days earlier to attend to what coach Willie Green described as a family emergency.
He became the third player in Pelicans history with 10 assists in his debut with the team, joining Elfrid Payton (2018) and Baron Davis (2002). Murray had just one turnover that night. Last season with the Hawks, he had just two games with 10 assists and one or fewer turnovers.
“Dejounte had a tough week,” McCollum said. He added: “He played well considering he was out for a long time.
“He was looking to hit a triple-double tonight. He was great for us and will be great for us all season long.”
New Orleans was already missing star forward Zion Williamson, who was ruled out of Wednesday’s lineup due to illness.
The Pelicans next play Friday night in Portland — the first of a four-game road trip on the West Coast.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
“Food ninja. Friendly thinker. Explorer. Entrepreneur. Zombie junkie.