NBA
Spurs Guard Dejounte Murray Has Torn Right ACL
The San Antonio Spurs announced Monday, their starting point guard Dejounte Murray has a torn right ACL reported Shams Charania. Murray was injured in the second quarter of Sunday’s preseason loss against the Houston Rockets. He began flinching in pain as All-star guard James Harden was guarding him while driving to the basket.
Devastating Injury
Murray fell face-down to the floor as the Spurs staff rushed to his side. Things really started to take a turn for the worse when staffers brought out a wheelchair to cart Murray off the court. Murray waved them away as he rose to his feet under his own strength. He walked off the court into the locker room as the crowd in the AT&T Center gave him a standing ovation.
“Devastating injury for him and the team, but life goes on,” coach Gregg Popovich said. “Everybody will pick up, and we will do the best job we can to carry on without him.”
This injury marks another blow to the Spurs back-court. The club announced Saturday that rookie guard Lonnie Walker IV would be out six to eight weeks due to injury. Walker underwent an MRI that revealed a right medial meniscus tear. He will undergo surgery on Monday.
Spurs New Look
Murray, 22, took over the starting point guard position after future Hall of Famer, Tony Parker, departed to the Charlotte Hornets. There were high expectations for Murray coming into his third NBA season.
San Antonio is entering a revamped look in the “Pop-Era.” None of Coach Pop’s core pieces from his five championships teams are still on the roster. Losing Manu Ginobili to retirement, Tony Parker to free agency and recently Kawhi Leonard via trade, the Spurs are starting fresh.
Murray was expected to lead a high powered scoring backcourt with his new teammate, DeMar DeRozan. With those two leading the way and a scoring big man in LaMarcus Aldridge, the Spurs had a lot of promise this season. But with this devastating injury to Murray, this can be a huge set back.
The Spurs begin their regular season next Wednesday at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Photo Credit
Herm Hrndz via Flickr
