New Orleans Pelicans suffer a significant offensive blow as Trey Murphy's absence continues. His crucial shooting impact is keenly felt, forcing lineup changes against the Houston Rockets.
The New Orleans Pelicans have their hands full on Sunday night as they are going to have to face a talented Houston Rockets team without one of their top offensive talents.
As with the last couple of games, both Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy were both questionable heading into Sunday night. Murray was given the green light, but Murphy was held out once again.
Not having Murphy's shooting is having a huge impact on this offense. The team averages +4.1 points per possession with him in the lineup, one of the biggest changes for a wing in the league.
He has missed the last two games, and the offense is feeling his absence. Not only does it mean less Murphy, but it also means more Jordan Hawkins and Jordan Poole in the lineup as they look for more shooting. Those are two shooters who are out of the rotation for a reason.
It's a good sign that Murphy has at least been questionable for these games, so his ankle injury likely isn't that bad. It is also unsurprising to see the team opt not to test it by making him play through it.
While it would be great to keep winning games and lower the odds on that draft pick going to the Atlanta Hawks, it's not worth a potentially worse ankle injury for Murphy with less than 10 games left in the season.
At least Murray will be active, which should make things a little bit easier on offense. There are three days off before their next game, so there was no reason to rest him.