New Orleans forward Trey Murphy III is out for the season after sustaining a right shoulder injury in the Pelicans’ 127-81 home loss to the Detroit Pistons on Monday.
According to the team, Murphy underwent an MRI exam that confirmed a labrum tear and partial rotator cuff tear.
In the first minute of the game, Detroit’s Ausar Thompson stole the ball from Murphy, and the two collided as Thompson headed toward the opposite basket. Murphy went down to the floor in pain and left the contest for good.
Murphy, 24, averaged 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists, all career highs, in 53 games (51 starts).
In four NBA seasons, all with New Orleans, Murphy is averaging 13.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 251 games (140 games).
When he returns next season, Murphy will start playing under a four-year, $112 million contract extension he received in October.
The Pelicans, who were eliminated from playoff contention last week, endured an awful night after Murphy exited. The margin of defeat matched the largest in franchise history.
