02/06/2025, 2:25 PM
Flirts with double-double in loss
Murphy was Brandon Ingram's (hamstring) replacement for much of the season, and Ingram's trade has given Murphy the keys for the long term. Murphy has certainly earned the role, often ending the night with the team's high score and the ability to pop off for huge numbers on any given evening. Murphy recently enjoyed two consecutive 40-plus point totals after dropping off slightly Wednesday evening.
02/06/2025, 2:20 PM
Posts team-high 28 points
Despite the experiment of an Ingram-Williamson combo coming to an untimely end, the dynamic fifth-year pro continued his solid 2024 campaign with an impressive set of numbers in the blowout loss. The recent trade doesn't give Williamson and company much immediate help, which is a signal of recognition from the team that their current 15th-place ranking in the West might not improve enough to make a difference this season.
02/06/2025, 2:13 PM
Nears double-double in spot start
The Pelicans pivoted from Javonte Green and experimented with Matkovic, who made his first career start in the NBA. Although Brandon Ingram had logged several absences before being traded away, his departure will force New Orleans to scour their lineup and investigate other starting combinations prior to the arrival of Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk.