Willie Green talks win, return of Trey Murphy III | Pelicans Spurs Postgame 12/1/23
Pelicans Head Coach Willie Green
On the team’s depth and performance tonight:
“It’s a blessing to have the guys available that can come in and produce right away, but Naji (Marshall) was really good tonight, [and] getting Trey (Murphy III) back was huge for us. We can see where that’s going to end up going – with his shooting and Z (Zion Williamson), and CJ (McCollum) beyond their playmaking ability, but it’s a luxury to have for sure.”
On Trey Murphy’s return and if he looked like himself:
“He did. He’s been working his tail off – him and Coach Corey Brewer and the medical staff, we’ve been working to get him back. He’s been doing everything he’s supposed to do, and more, and he’s been itching to get on the floor. So, great to have him back tonight. He looked pretty solid tonight for his first game, and it was fun. It’s a tough team, we knew that they were going to come out and play tough, especially in the first half, off of a back-to-back, and sometimes those games can be tough, but we did what we needed to do in the second half to win the game, and that’s the important part for us.”
Trey Murphy III on his first game back | Pelicans vs. Spurs Postgame 12/1/23
Pelicans Forward Trey Murphy III
On how it felt to return to the court for his season debut with the Pelicans:
“It felt great. I mean obviously had a little bit of nerves, but I was glad the crowd was here and showed a lot of love. We got a win and that is what is most important and I was able to contribute.”
Jonas Valanciunas on big night, Trey Murphy III | Pelicans vs Spurs Postgame 12/1/23
Pelicans Center Jonas Valanciunas
On what it was like to be back on the court with Trey Murphy III:
“Very good to see him back. Good to see him making plays, shooting threes and making threes. The one bad thing is that he is stealing rebounds, but I am used to it from last year.”
On his mindset tonight after his dominant 24-point performance:
“We were attacking the basket and we were attacking the paint. It is easy with the chemistry between Zion (Williamson), CJ (McCollum), and BI (Brandon Ingram). Everybody is trying to make the right plays and it is fun to play that way. I keep saying it every time you ask me but it is.”