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Trey Murphy III · With his New Orleans Pelicans on the wrong end of a momentum-swinging second-half run and the No. 1 seeded Oklahoma City Thunder quickly distancing themselves on the scoreboard, Trey Murphy III used his smooth 3-point stroke to respond with some distance of his own. Oozing with confidence after a 10-point third quarter eruption, the gifted 3-and-D swingman seeks to keep the Thunder’s defense guessing, swinging the ball around the perimeter, in search of an advantageous matchup. Fearless in his approach after the ball locates him for a second time, Murphy loads up for a 30-foot bomb, trimming Oklahoma City’s lead to just six. On the road, and in his first-ever postseason start, Murphy’s poise was veteran-like, even despite the two-point loss on April 21, 2024. Burying big-time shots one after another to keep the eighth-seeded Pelicans hot on the Thunder’s heels, Murphy starred on both ends of the floor, contributing 21 points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal, three blocks, and a game-high five 3-pointers in 44 minutes. · State of Mint