Murray's dominant return showcases elite scoring, playmaking, and defensive disruption. See the stats proving his immediate impact after a year away.
The New Orleans Pelicans have looked like a new team since getting one of their star players back in Dejounte Murray. He missed over one calendar year with an Achilles injury, but it would be hard to tell that just by watching him play.
Murray looks better than he did for the Pelicans last year before he got hurt. It's a small sample size, and he's still riding the energy from the return, but things are off to a great start.
In eight games, he has posted averages of 19.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.8 steals on 54.7/35.1/82.9 shooting splits. If he were able to maintain this level of production, this would be a completely different team.
Here are some more specific stats from CleaningTheGlass that show just how good he has looked since coming back:
+17.2 net rating change when on court
The product on the court doesn't just look better with Murray involved; the numbers back up that the team is much better with him in the game. No one questioned his ability on the defensive end, but he's been equally impressive on offense.
The only things that the team gets worse at with Murray are their turnover rate and offensive rebounding, but what is lost there is more than made up for elsewhere.
130.6 points per 100 shot attempts
Murray has had years where he has scored at a higher volume, though 35 and 27-point performances in the last two games have bumped his average up. But the reason that he has been so good is his consistency so far.
The only two point guards who have been more efficient with their shot selection are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and James Harden. That's pretty good company to be in.
18.9% defensive rebounding rate
While the team's offensive rebounding rate drops with Murray, he is one of the best defensive rebounding guards in the league. Only Luka Doncic and Josh Giddey have higher rebounding rates.
Murray's ability to rebound has been crucial in making this starting group work. They lack size, so they need everyone to step up on the boards.
2.7% steal rate
Murray and Jones are two of the most annoying guards to face in the league. New Orleans actually looks like a somewhat competent defensive team right now, which has been a massive change from most of the year.
The high steal-rate helps create more transition opportunities, which has been one of his strongest areas so far this season.