The Pelicans upgraded Trey Murphy III from out to day-to-day on Thursday with a knee and leg issue. His expected return date is Friday, Nov. 6, the day New Orleans hosts the Timberwolves.
What happened
The injury report moved Murphy from out to day-to-day on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 10:11 a.m. ET. The listed issue is knee and leg. He had been out on Wednesday, Nov. 4, and the report's comment says Murphy (knees) was listed as out for Wednesday's game against Utah. Before that, he was day-to-day on Nov. 3, cleared on Nov. 2 and day-to-day again on Nov. 1. The report gives an expected return of Nov. 6. It does not announce a game-time designation for Friday.
What it means for the Pelicans
New Orleans hosts the Timberwolves on Friday, Nov. 6, at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Pelicans are 4-4, the 10th seed, and have won four straight. Murphy is averaging 33.0 minutes, 14.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists in seven games. The team is 3-4 with him and 1-0 without him. If he sits, the minutes have gone to Dejounte Murray (34.8), Zion Williamson (32.9), Jeremiah Fears (28.0), Saddiq Bey (26.6) and Derik Queen (24.1). Herbert Jones, Yves Missi and Karlo Matkovic have also played in those games. Missi is listed as out with a left knee and leg issue.
What to watch
The next injury report update will show whether Murphy's status on Friday moves from day-to-day to a game designation. The report lists Nov. 6 as his expected return, and no further timeline is announced. Watch whether the Pelicans keep Murray, Williamson and Bey in the same minutes if Murphy returns. Missi is out, which narrows the frontcourt. The Timberwolves game on Friday is the next test of both situations.
Is Trey Murphy III playing vs the Timberwolves?
Not announced. Murphy is day-to-day with a knee and leg issue, and the injury report lists an expected return of Nov. 6, the date of the Timberwolves game. No game-time designation has been announced.
When will Trey Murphy III be back?
The injury report lists an expected return of Friday, Nov. 6. He was out on Wednesday, Nov. 4, and was upgraded to day-to-day on Thursday, Nov. 5.