Trey

Murphy

Murphy had another excellent game. The 25-year-old small forward led the Pelicans with 24 points on their way to a 20-point victory. The lone negative was that he exited with an upper back injury, but the Pelicans forward was on the bench with his teammates after having ice applied to the area. Since the start of February, Murphy has averaged 24.1 points and 4.7 assists. He’s also shooting 49 percent from the field and 48 percent from the three-point line in that time. The Pelicans have two games upcoming in Week 20, starting with a matchup against the Raptors on Wednesday.

Murphy has 64 points and 11 three-pointers in three games so far this week. The 25-year-old small forward led the Pelicans with 22 points and four three-pointers in Friday’s loss to the Suns. Murphy also had an impact on the defensive end with two steals and a block. He’s provided third-round per game value over the last two weeks. The Pelicans close out the week against the Wizards on Sunday.

Since returning from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for five games, Murphy has averaged 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.0 steals and 3.7 three-pointers while shooting 45.5 percent from the field. The Pelicans play two more games in Week 19, starting with Friday’s matchup with the Suns, and it isn’t guaranteed that Murphy will be available for both. If he sits on Friday, that spot in the lineup could go to Dejounte Murray (Achilles) after he was given Thursday night off.

Murphy was upgraded from questionable to probable on Thursday afternoon, a sign that he was on track to play. He’ll occupy his usual place in the starting lineup, with Bryce McGowens continuing to come off the bench.

The late upgrade is good news for Murphy III, who returned earlier this week after missing five games with a shoulder injury. There was some thought that the Pelicans would hold the 25-year-old out against a tanking Kings team, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. As a result, Murphy III is in a great spot for fantasy production.

Murphy, who recently returned to action after missing five games with a right shoulder contusion, is dealing with neck spasms. If he’s unable to play against the Kings, the Pelicans could look to Bryce McGowens to fill the void in the starting lineup.

This was Murphy’s second game back after missing five games with a shoulder injury. He scored 16 points in the first one, but he was more effective in this outing. Murphy has been excellent this season, but this two-game stretch hasn’t been his best. They have a back-to-back coming up on Thursday and Friday, but since it wasn’t a lower body injury, Murphy should be fine to suit up for both games.

Williamson had to leave Saturday’s win over the Jazz during the second quarter, and Sunday’s game will be the first that he’s missed since December 11. With Trey Murphy (shoulder) back, he can slide into Williamson’s spot in the starting lineup, while Dejounte Murray replaces Bryce McGowens.

Murphy is back after missing the last five games with a right shoulder contusion. Sunday’s game will be the first this season that he and Dejounte Murray (Achilles) have played together. If Zion Williamson (ankle) can’t play, Saddiq Bey and DeAndre Jordan should remain in the starting lineup. One will likely head to the bench if Zion plays.

Saturday’s game will be the fifth that Murphy has missed with a right shoulder contusion. With Dejounte Murray also out, for injury management reasons, it’s possible that Derik Queen returns to the starting lineup. However, fellow rookie Jeremiah Fears is another option for the Pelicans if they prefer to start a point guard.