METAIRIE, La. (AP) 鈥� Dejounte Murray plans to return to the ' lineup on Wednesday night for the first time since in a season-opening victory over Chicago on Oct. 23.
And when Murray takes the court against the , his mother will be on his mind.
After practice on Tuesday, Murray discussed his impending return and disclosed more details about the previously unspecified 鈥減ersonal matters鈥� that caused him to leave the team during the final days of the preseason.
His mother had a stroke, he said.
鈥淚t was tough to leave and go deal with that. As she got better, she wanted me to come play,鈥� Murray said of his last-minute decision to start against Chicago.
He added that his hand injury near the end of that game was God's way of telling him, 鈥溾�楴ah, you need to stay with your mom.鈥欌��
鈥淚 was more concerned about my mother. That was my priority,鈥� Murray continued. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 really worried about my recovery.鈥�
Murray's mother has recovered well, he said, while he is 鈥渉ealthy and ready to help this team.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 ready to hoop. Play for my mother 鈥� she鈥檚 going to be watching," Murray said. 鈥淚鈥檓 ready to compete, bring that winning spirit.鈥�
The Pelicans (4-14) certainly could use the help, having lost 14 of 16 games since opening the season with a pair of victories.
Injuries have ravaged the roster. At times, all five starters have been out. Star power forward Zion Williamson has missed 12 games this season 鈥� one with an illness and 11 with a hamstring injury. Herb Jones has been sidelined by a shoulder strain and Brandon Ingram's status is in doubt after he sat out practice on Tuesday with calf soreness that also sidelined him during a loss on Monday night at Indiana.
But at least two starters 鈥� Murray and fellow guard CJ McCollum 鈥� are expected to play against the Raptors.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 care how many games we鈥檝e lost. I just know every time I step on the floor I feel like we can win games,鈥� said Murray, who had 14 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in his lone game with the Pelicans. "That鈥檚 just my mentality, and I feel like it can carry over to a lot of guys.鈥�
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AP NBA:
Brett Martel, The Associated Press
