Trey Murphy III Downgraded to Doubtful as Pelicans Injury Woes Continue

Death, taxes, and the New Orleans Pelicans medical staff working overtime. Trey Murphy III has officially been downgraded to doubtful for Wednesday with a knee issue, proving once again that a clean bill of health in this organization is basically a myth.

In the modern NBA, a doubtful tag is just a polite way of saying a guy is already in street clothes and picking out his bench snacks. For fantasy managers and anyone holding a Pelicans ticket, it means scrambling to adjust your expectations before tip-off.

"Trey Murphy III (knee) downgraded to doubtful Wednesday."

Looking at Murphy’s career injury log is starting to feel like a game of Operation where the buzzer just never stops going off. Over the last few years, he has popped up on the report with ankle, neck, shoulder, back, and elbow problems. Adding a knee issue to the mix is just completing the set.

That durability problem is the only thing holding him back from a massive leap. He was a trendy pick for the Most Improved Player award before injuries limited him to just 53 games in the 2024-25 season, which disqualified him under the league's 65-game rule.

When he is actually on the floor, Murphy is a legitimate difference-maker. He hovers around the top 100 in fantasy value and completely changes the spacing for the New Orleans offense. His gravity opens up the paint for everyone else, making the Pelicans a completely different team to handicap at the sportsbook.

His absence creates an immediate ripple effect for the rest of the rotation. With Murphy likely out, guys like Jordan Hawkins usually see their usage take a noticeable bump, which is something to keep an eye on if you are looking at daily player props.

Expect Murphy to sit this one out on Wednesday, and prepare for the usual day-to-day waiting game. Just keep refreshing your feed until the ball actually tips, because trusting a New Orleans injury report is a great way to get your heart broken.