Season-ending injury sidelines Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray with Achilles tendon issue

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray will not play for the remainder of the season after tearing his right Achilles tendon during Friday's matchup against the visiting Boston Celtics.

During the first quarter with four minutes left, Murray retrieved his own rebound after missing a floater. However, as he held onto the ball, he fell to the ground and grabbed the back of his right leg.

Murray was assisted off the court and did not return for the Pelicans' 118-116 loss to the Celtics.

The Pelicans confirmed the injury through an MRI conducted on Friday night.

"It is extremely tough to see a player who is so important to our team and puts in the work go down like that," said New Orleans coach Willie Green after the game. "We will continue to keep him in our prayers."

In his ninth season, Murray has been averaging 17.5 points, 7.4 assists and 6.5 rebounds in 31 games, all of which he started.

This is his first season with the Pelicans, having previously played for the Atlanta Hawks for the past two seasons.

Murray was drafted 29th overall out of Washington in 2016 and spent the first six seasons of his career with the San Antonio Spurs. He went from averaging 8.5 minutes as a rookie to becoming an All-Star in his final season with the Spurs in 2021-22.

The 28-year-old has also dealt with injuries in the past.

He missed the entire 2018-19 season due to a torn ACL and sustained a broken hand in the season opener this year, causing him to miss the next 17 games.

Throughout his career, Murray has averaged 15.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game.