Pelicans suffer huge loss as Trey Murphy III is sidelined for the season
- Cade Cunningham scored 24 points and eight assists to lead the Pistons to a significant victory.
- Trey Murphy III suffered a severe shoulder injury, ruling him out for the rest of the season.
- The Pistons dominated the game, securing a 127-81 win over the Pelicans.
On March 17, 2025, the Detroit Pistons faced off against the New Orleans Pelicans in a decisive game in New Orleans. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons to victory with an impressive performance, scoring 24 points and dishing out eight assists, helping the team secure a commanding 127-81 win. Simone Fontecchio contributed significantly, scoring 23 points off the bench, showcasing a perfect shooting performance of 5 for 5 from beyond the arc. The Pistons, despite facing a rough stretch in their previous games, managed to break a losing trend by dominating this match. The Pelicans’ performance was marked by struggles, particularly in shooting efficiency, as they only managed to connect on 32.6% of their shots from the field and a mere 5 for 32 from three-point range. Standout player Zion Williamson scored 30 points and made a strong all-around contribution with six rebounds and two blocks. However, his efforts were not enough to overcome the Pistons' dominance, as the team continued to face challenges, losing their seventh game out of eight. The game turned sharply during a defining 24-5 run by the Pistons that started in the first quarter and extended into the second, giving them a substantial advantage early on. The Pistons established a commanding 63-32 lead by halftime, effectively sealing the game before the second half even began. Their advantage in rebounding further contributed to their success, as they out-rebounded the Pelicans 50-39, indicating superior performance on both ends of the court. The Pelicans received distressing news postgame regarding Trey Murphy III, who suffered a serious shoulder injury during the first quarter. An examination revealed he has a torn labrum and a partial tear of the rotator cuff, which will unfortunately sideline him for the remainder of the season. This injury compounds the Pelicans' troubles as they look to regroup and find solutions for their ailing roster as they prepare for their next matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. With Murphy's absence expected to have a significant impact on the Pelicans' performance moving forward, the team will need to adapt quickly in order to improve their current standings in the league.