Dejounte Murray has been cleared on the injury report after being listed as day-to-day for personal reasons. That leaves the Pelicans' starting guard available to face the Hawks on Saturday night.
What happened
Dejounte Murray was listed as cleared on the official injury report filed Friday, Oct. 30 at 5:39 p.m. ET. He had been day-to-day before that. The report gave no further detail and no comment. This ends a short absence for personal reasons. On Thursday, Oct. 29, the 30-year-old guard was first listed as out for personal reasons and then moved to day-to-day the same day. Earlier this month he was day-to-day with a right toe issue on Oct. 8, and he was cleared on Oct. 19.
What it means for the Pelicans
New Orleans hosts Atlanta on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. ET. The Pelicans are 1-4, sit 14th in the seeding and come off a win. Through four games, Murray is averaging 17.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 32.3 minutes. The results have not followed him yet. New Orleans is 0-4 with him and 1-0 without him. Zion Williamson (32.0 minutes, 21.8 points) and Trey Murphy III (32.4 minutes, 14.2 points) carry the most minutes. Jeremiah Fears and Saddiq Bey each play 24.2 minutes. The front line is thin. Yves Missi is out with a left knee issue, and Jordan Poole is out with a left ankle issue.
What to watch
The next injury report comes before Saturday's game against the Hawks. Since Murray is cleared, the question is his workload in his first game back after missing time for personal reasons, not a return date. Missi and Poole are both still out, and no return has been announced for either. That puts more pressure on Murray, Fears and Herbert Jones to handle the guard minutes against Atlanta.
Is Dejounte Murray playing vs Hawks on Sat, Oct 31?
He is listed as cleared on the latest injury report, filed Friday at 5:39 p.m. ET. The Pelicans host the Hawks on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.
When will Dejounte Murray be back?
He has already been cleared after being listed as day-to-day for personal reasons, so he is available for Saturday's game against the Hawks.