The first week of the 2024-25 NBA season has been extremely tough for the New Orleans Pelicans.
After losing Trey Murphy III to a right hamstring strain during the preseason and Dejounte Murray to a broken left hand in the Pelicans’ season opener, New Orleans now faces an extended period without two of his best players.
Herb Jones suffered a right shoulder strain and a small, low-grade partial tear in his rotator cuff. Your recovery period is approximately 2 to 4 weeks and your return to play will depend on how you respond to treatment and rehabilitation.
CJ McCollum has been diagnosed… pic.twitter.com/7FP73qXtsv
– New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 1, 2024
The team announced Friday that forward Herbert Jones suffered a right shoulder strain and a rotator cuff tear and will be sidelined for two to four weeks, depending on how he responds to treatment and rehabilitation. Additionally, guard CJ McCollum suffered a right adductor strain that is expected to keep him out for two to three weeks.
Jones had averaged 6.8 points in four games this season. He has averaged 10.1 points per game during his four NBA seasons. In his first four games, McCollum averaged 18.8 points. The 12-year veteran has scored 19.1 points per game during his career.
Add in Murphy’s 14.8 points per game from last season and Murray’s career averages of 15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists, and that’s significant production the Pelicans will be missing out on.
New Orleans is hopeful Murphy will return in about a week. Just before the NBA rookie extension deadline, he signed a four-year, $112 million contract. Murray could miss another three to five weeks.
As expected, all four players are listed in Pelicans injury report for Friday’s matchup against the Indiana Pacers. Additionally, point guard Jordan Hawkins and centers Yves Missi and Daniel Theis are listed as questionable. All three players appeared in Wednesday’s 104–89 loss to the Golden State Warriors.