Age: 23
NBA experience: Three seasons (three with Pelicans)
Games played/games started: 57/23
Key stats: 14.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.2 apg, 81.5 FT percentage, 38.0 three-point percentage
Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III’s 2023-24 NBA season overview
Murphy’s campaign was a lot like that of the Pelicans overall: Another step forward, but not wholly satisfying, particularly given how it concluded. A summer knee injury prevented Murphy from making his season debut until Dec. 1 – and his starts decreased from 65 to 23 due to Zion Williamson’s excellent availability – but Murphy still established a career high in scoring and continued to be one of the NBA’s most dangerous deep-shooting threats.
“All things considered, I feel like it was a decently successful season,” he said during his April 30 exit interview. “We won 49 games. Winning 49 games is not an easy feat in the NBA. If we were in the Eastern Conference, we’d be a third seed. Obviously we wanted the season to end a little differently, but overall team success I’d say was good. I was able to contribute to that as well. It was my first time having a real major injury, so coming back from that was something I had to deal with mentally and try to get over the hump with that.”
Murphy finished seventh in the NBA’s Most Improved Player vote in 2022-23, but making another jump that large probably wasn’t realistic, particularly given his delayed start to Year 3. But the North Carolina native remains a player that many observers across the league are keeping an eye on, based on his upside and potential.
“I know where I can go, especially with how hard I work and overall drive,” he said. “I think the biggest thing is work hard every day… understanding I’m going to be a really good player in this league. It’s just a matter of time before it really shows.”
Trey Murphy III Top Plays | 2023‑24 NBA Season Highlights
Trey Murphy III's Pelicans Podcast recap
The Advocate's Christian Clark recaps New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III's 2023-24 NBA season.
Trey Murphy III's per-game stats from the 2023-24 NBA season
| GP | GS | MIN | FG% | 3P% | FT% | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trey Murphy III | 57 | 23 | 29.6 | 44.3% | 38% | 81.5% | 4.9 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 14.8 |
Photos: Trey Murphy III 2023‑24 Season in Review
1 / 25PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 09: Trey Murphy III #25 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots the ball from midcourt during the closing seconds of the third quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on April 09, 2024 in Portland, Oregon. The New Orleans Pelicans won 110-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
Trey Murphy III by the numbers
6
Rank among all NBA players this season in catch-and-shoot three-pointers made per game (2.3). The only gunners who averaged more than Murphy were Lauri Markkanen (3.1), Donte DiVincenzo, Klay Thompson, Luke Kennard and Stephen Curry. Bogdan Bogdanovic and Malik Beasley tied Murphy at 2.3 per game.
8
Rank in scoring average among players who came off the bench at least 30 games this season. Murphy averaged 13.8 points in his 34 appearances as a reserve. Jordan Clarkson led the category at 17.4 ppg in 36 games as a sub.
16-2
New Orleans record when Murphy sank at least four three-pointers in a game, including 11-0 when he drained five-plus treys. The Pelicans were undefeated during his big nights from deep until March 26 and April 1 home losses to Oklahoma City and Phoenix, respectively.
Trey Murphy’s three most notable games
#1, March 5, New Orleans 139, Toronto 98
At this point, the Raptors probably have had their fill of three-point shooting from Pelicans forwards. Brandon Ingram went ballistic from distance on Feb. 5 vs. Toronto, while Murphy shot 10/14 off the bench on threes in this blowout in Canada. He poured in a season-high 34 points.
#2, Feb. 27, New Orleans 115, New York 92
One of the Pelicans’ best road victories was highlighted by Murphy posting 26 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a steal, logging 36 minutes as a starter. He deposited six three-pointers in his 11 attempts at Madison Square Garden.
#3, Dec. 1, New Orleans 121, San Antonio 106
This performance didn’t even rank in Murphy’s top 10 scoring games this season, but an 18-point night was beautiful to see, as he made his return to the court from offseason knee surgery. He was 7/13 from the field and 4/10 on triples.
Trey Murphy’s player participation report
He was forced to miss the first 19 games of the regular season as he rehabbed his knee, then sidelined for three contests around the new year with knee soreness – but after that he was nearly always available. Murphy appeared in each of the team’s final 36 regular season games, then all six postseason tilts. In 2022-23, he tied sturdy Jonas Valanciunas for the team lead in games played with 79.