Due to an offseason knee injury, Trey Murphy can only participate in minimal basketball activity right now, but he was more than happy to serve as a host and master of ceremonies during Sunday’s Pelicans open practice in the Smoothie King Center. As part of the duties he volunteered to handle, the 23-year-old hosted the annual competition for New Orleans rookies. Murphy later provided his assessment of the first-year pros, who battled each other in games such as musical chairs and dancing.
“Solid. There were definitely some improvements that could’ve been done, a little more effort on their part,” the third-year forward said, alluding at least partly to forward E.J. Liddell’s hesitancy to consume even one hot dog. “It’s OK, though. Things happen.”
Trey Murphy III on MC'ing at Open Practice, his progress on injury 10/8/2023
With the club’s handful of rookies all donning hot-dog costumes – inexplicably, veteran forward Brandon Ingram also wore one as he walked onto the court in front of a packed lower bowl in Smoothie King Center – wing Landers Nolley emerged as “champion.” Meanwhile, No. 14 overall draft pick Jordan Hawkins was the first Pelican among the entire roster to sink a halfcourt shot.
“It’s always fun to go out there and show appreciation to our fans who support us all year,” guard CJ McCollum said of the event. “They’ve done a great job since I’ve been here of coming to the games and giving us a real homecourt advantage.”
New Orleans will open the 2023-24 regular season with 10 of its first 15 games on its home floor, including a six-game homestand leading up to Thanksgiving, though Murphy will miss at least a portion of those games while recovering from his injury. After Sunday’s practice, Murphy noted that he’s still limited in what he’s permitted to do physically. On Media Day, he said he will return to game action in either November or December.
CJ McCollum talks being in front of fans, playing fast 10/8/2023
“I (am allowed to) stand and shoot. I can dribble,” Murphy said of his current physical activity. “I can do conditioning on the side while (the rest of the team practices). Lifting a lot. Getting really strong. I’m not even allowed to jog or jump right now. Mainly bike.”
Several Pelicans teammates, including Zion Williamson, commented this week that Murphy had made more strides again this summer. The Virginia and Rice product finished seventh in the NBA’s Most Improved Player vote for 2022-23.
“The biggest thing is strength and athleticism, working on getting to the basket, dribbling the ball more, diversifying my game so that it makes it harder to guard me,” Murphy said of his offseason focus prior to the a meniscus injury in his left knee.