Having pieced together a 30-point game during a one-possession loss against the Boston Celtics just three weeks prior, January 31, 2025’s game was one of much déjà vu for the New Orleans Pelicans. For Trey Murphy III, perhaps that only added to the ironic fun of pulling out moves that the NBA’s defending champions simply hadn’t seen before. Once upon a time a catch-and-shoot sniper only scratching the surface of his shot creation abilities, New Orleans’ fourth-year talent showcases his growth, putting Jaylen Brown and Boston’s help defenders through a pick-and-roll maze. With two different green-jerseyed defenders all but eliminated and only Luke Kornet left to overcome, Murphy offsets the size advantage with a crafty in-and-out dribble, followed by an underhand scoop finish, keeping the Pelicans hot on Boston’s heels. A game-winner by Boston’s All-Star forward presented a slight steal of one’s thunder, but Murphy — sandwiching this night’s 40-point game between 32 and 41-point performances before and after — was best described as breathtaking. The big-time showing arrived on near-perfect efficiency (15-of-20), alongside five rebounds, four assists, one steal, and eight 3-pointers. · Feb 1, 2025