The New Orleans Pelicans struggled again in their 139-118 defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, as the team’s shooting issues became even more pronounced without Trey Murphy III on the court. Murphy III’s absence due to a shoulder injury left a significant gap, especially from beyond the arc, highlighting his crucial role in their offense and the team’s overall shooting impact.
In their previous meeting against Milwaukee, Murphy III delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 44 points and setting a franchise record with 12 made three-pointers to help secure a win for New Orleans. However, without him, the Pelicans managed only four successful three-point attempts and were outshot on the perimeter 36 to 25 by the Bucks, underscoring how heavily the team relies on his shooting ability.
Options on the Bench Aren’t Filling the Shooting Void
Interim head coach James Borrego noted that Murphy III’s absence would provide an opportunity for Jordan Poole and Jordan Hawkins to take on more shooting responsibility. Despite this, the duo has struggled from three-point range this season, combining for just 32.2 percent shooting. This inefficiency emphasizes the team’s deeper roster issues related to scoring from long distance, which cannot be resolved simply by shifting the burden onto less consistent shooters.
The Pelicans’ shooting struggles are not new but have been a persistent problem throughout the season, intensifying concerns about the team’s construction. New Orleans ranks among the lowest in the league for three-pointers attempted and made per game, a statistic that worsens dramatically when Murphy III’s production is excluded.
Offseason Changes Needed to Strengthen Perimeter Shooting
Currently, the Pelicans make the third fewest threes per game this season, yet the front office has not made significant moves at the trade deadline to address this glaring weakness. While converting Bryce McGowens’s contract to a standard deal brought some hope—he has been shooting 43.3 percent from three—it is insufficient to rely on one or two players to carry the team’s entire shooting load in today’s NBA.
Without Murphy III, the team’s average three-pointers made per game would drop to just 7.9, making them the worst-shooting squad in the league by a wide margin. Murphy III accounts for nearly 30 percent of New Orleans’ threes made each game, underscoring how central he is to their offensive strategy.
The Core Group Faces Tough Questions About Their Future
The Pelicans possess a promising core that includes Murphy III, Herb Jones, Zion Williamson, Derik Queen, Jeremiah Fears, Bryce McGowens, Saddiq Bey, and, when healthy, Dejounte Murray. However, persistent shooting deficiencies expose gaps that must be addressed for the team to compete at a higher level.
Long-term, the organization will need to reevaluate the roles of key players such as Zion Williamson and Herb Jones, particularly as the team’s reliance on Murphy III as both the leading scorer and primary threat from deep is unsustainable. Building a future contender and aiming for championships will require a more balanced offensive approach with greater shooting depth across the roster.
“It’s a chance for Jordan Poole and Jordan Hawkins to step in and handle some of that shooting load.” ?James Borrego, Interim Head Coach
James Borrego says with Trey Murphy being out, it’s a chance for Jordan Poole and Jordan Hawkins to step in and handle some of that shooting load.
— Rod Walker (@RodWalkerNola) February 20, 2026
