Dejounte

Murray

Murphy and Murray remain sidelined for the Pelicans’ final game of the season. Jeremiah Fears has benefited most in terms of playing time and scoring opportunities, with Jordan Hawkins’ playing time also increasing off the bench.

Friday’s game will be the fourth that Murray has missed due to a hand injury. Jeremiah Fears, who set a franchise rookie record with 40 points on Tuesday, will once again figure prominently in the Pelicans’ rotation.

Murray will miss a third straight game, and it’s unclear if we’ll see him again before the season ends. Until Murray returns, Jeremiah Fears should see an elevated workload.

Murray missed the Pelicans’ two most recent games, but has the possibility of taking the floor on Tuesday. The Pelicans have lost eight consecutive games and own one of the worst records in the league. Should Murray return, he’ll provide efficient scoring and solid work as both a passer and rebounder.

Fears did not have a good night shooting the basketball, finishing 2-of-7 from both inside and outside of the three-point arc. But the rookie did record a complete stat line, and the turnover count of three could have been much worse. Dejounte Murray (hand) being out the last two games has freed up additional opportunities for Fears, which the Pelicans hope will pay dividends down the line. New Orleans plays three games in Week 24, and Fears should continue to log heavy minutes.

Murray will miss a second consecutive game as he deals with a left hand contusion. Jeremiah Fears was the replacement in the starting lineup the last time New Orleans did not have Murray or Trey Murphy, so he’s likely to receive the nod against the Magic.

Murray, who did not play in Friday’s loss to the Kings, is dealing with a left hand contusion. The player most impacted by Murray’s availability is Yves Missi, who moved into the starting lineup the last time out. If Murray returns on Sunday, Missi will head to the bench.

While Murphy is available for the second game of the Pelicans’ back-to-back, Dejounte Murray (Achilles) is not. As a result, Missi moves into the starting lineup, which means that Murphy and Williamson should take more playmaking responsibilities for the starters.

Murray will be held out against the Kings due to right Achilles injury management. Jeremiah Fears could replace him in the starting lineup, making Fears a potential streaming option in a favorable matchup.

Murray, who logged 28 minutes after sitting out Friday’s loss to the Raptors, finished Sunday’s defeat with a complete stat line on excellent percentages. Over the past two weeks, the veteran point guard has provided sixth-round value in eight-cat formats. Unfortunately, the Week 23 schedule works against Murray and those rostering him. Not only are the Pelicans off until Thursday, but their three-game week includes a back-to-back. As a result, Murray could be limited to two appearances.