This 2024-25 NBA season has been defined by injuries for the New Orleans Pelicans. This isn't exactly a new thing for this franchise. Going back to their days with Anthony Davis, health has always been a feature focus for the Pels.
This year though, their injury concerns extended well beyond just Zion Williamson's availability. Brandon Ingram, Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, and, of course, Big Z all missed significant time for New Orleans this season. The injury bug didn't leave them alone after derailing their entire campaign in the first couple of months either.
The injuries have continued to roll in for the Pels, with Williamson returning to the injury report after being held out of their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a bruised lower back. While it's true that they were able to find some silver linings from all of their health issues this year, it's never a good thing for players to incur injuries. In fact, the Pelicans' ailments are set to drag them down even beyond this season.
Key Pelicans could miss time to start the 2025-26 NBA season
Zion's latest injury update was a disappointment solely because he had been able to evade the injury bug pretty well since returning from his hamstring strain. This lower back bruise shouldn't be anything too serious and is more likely a precaution or a tanking mechanism than an actual serious condition.
The more devastating news came when Trey Murphy III tore his labrum just seconds into the game against the Detroit Pistons. Such a horrid injury coming in an essentially meaningless game after Murphy's breakout season really hammered in a feeling of dread that'll be hard to shake for the Pelicans' faithful. What's even worse is that this shoulder tear will take away valuable offseason time he could have used to further elevate his game. Thankfully, he should be ready for the start of next season though.
The same can't be said about two other key Pelicans. According to The Athletic's Will Guillory, both Dejounte Murray and Herb Jones might miss time to start the 2025-26 NBA season. Herb Jones underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum — the same injury that TMIII just incurred — in February. His rehabilitation could carry past the offseason and into the first few weeks of next year's campaign.
Murray will certainly miss some time after rupturing his Achilles in January. The team is preparing for the possibility that he won't be available again until 2026. Murphy could join the list as well depending on the severity of his injury and whether it'll require surgery or not.
We saw this season how devastating it was to be without multiple rotation players for just a few weeks to begin the year. Hopefully, the Pelicans will have enough talent to keep them afloat until everyone's available again. Otherwise, we may be looking at another season lost to injuries.