Dejounte Murray was cleared on the Monday injury report after being listed day-to-day since Oct. 8. The Pelicans guard is available for the season opener against the Pacers on Wednesday.
What happened
The Pelicans cleared guard Dejounte Murray on Monday, Oct. 19, according to the official injury report posted at 2:39 p.m. ET. He had been listed as day-to-day since Thursday, Oct. 8, with a toe and leg issue on the right side. The report gives no further detail and carries no comment on the injury. No return date was needed, and none was announced. Murray is 30 years old. The clearance comes two days before New Orleans opens its 2026-27 schedule.
What it means for the Pelicans
New Orleans opens the season Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 8:00 p.m. ET against the Pacers. The Pelicans are 0-0. Murray gives them a veteran guard with a proven track record as a playmaker. Last season he played 14 games and averaged 27.8 minutes, 16.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists. In games without him last season, Trey Murphy III averaged 35.5 minutes and 21.5 points, and Saddiq Bey played 31.2 minutes. Jeremiah Fears (25.8 minutes, 14.3 points) and Jordan Poole (23.9 minutes, 13.4 points) also carried guard minutes. With Murray back, those minutes can be redistributed. There is no with-and-without record yet because no regular-season games have been played.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Murray carries any new designation before Wednesday's opener against the Pacers. As of Monday he has no status listed beyond cleared. Watch his minutes in the opener, since last season's 27.8 per game is the only benchmark available. Watch also how the guard rotation shakes out among Fears, Poole and Murray. No restrictions have been announced.
Is Dejounte Murray playing vs the Pacers?
Murray was cleared on the Monday injury report and has no injury designation for Wednesday's 8:00 p.m. ET game against the Pacers. No restrictions have been announced.
When will Dejounte Murray be back?
He is already back. The Pelicans cleared him on Oct. 19, and the next chance to play is Wednesday, Oct. 21, against the Pacers.