Dejounte Murray Cleared for Action Against Spiraling Clippers

The NBA injury report is the greatest mystery novel of our time, but we finally have a clear answer on Dejounte Murray. After missing Monday's game for personal reasons, the New Orleans Pelicans guard is officially off the injury report and good to go for Wednesday night.

"Personal reasons" is the ultimate catch-all designation in professional sports. It could mean a guy had a family emergency, or it could mean he simply needed 24 hours away from his coworkers. Either way, his return is massive news for a New Orleans team trying to find its footing.

"Underdog NBA reported that Dejounte Murray (personal) is not listed on the injury report for Wednesday."

Before taking a night off, Murray was absolutely cooking. He dropped a 35-point explosion on the Houston Rockets, looking every bit like the guy the Pelicans hoped for when they traded for him.

For context, Murray is averaging 19.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in just 27 minutes per game this season. He is shooting nearly 55 percent from the floor, which is the kind of efficiency that makes fantasy managers weep tears of joy.

The Pelicans managed to scrape out a win over the Dallas Mavericks without him on Monday, pushing their record to 3-4. But surviving one game without your lead playmaker is a lot different than building a sustainable offense.

His active status completely shifts the board for Wednesday's matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers are currently spiraling with a 1-6 record, and adding a rested Murray to the mix makes New Orleans a heavy favorite to compound their misery.

Bettors and fantasy players can safely lock Murray back into their lineups. If he picks up right where he left off against Houston, the Clippers are in for a very long night.