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New Orleans will start Jeremiah Fears, Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy, Zion Williamson and Karlo Matković against Minnesota on Friday. Murphy returns after missing Wednesday’s win over Utah, and Herb Jones moves to the bench in the Pelicans’ only change to their starting lineup.
The New Orleans Pelicans will start Jeremiah Fears, Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy, Zion Williamson and Karlo Matković against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, according to NBC Sports’ player-news report. Murphy returns after missing Wednesday’s win over Utah, while Herb Jones moves to the bench in the only change to New Orleans’ previous starting five.
Murphy’s return follows a one-game absence from the Pelicans’ Wednesday victory over the Jazz. NBC Sports reported that he had been listed as probable on Thursday, making his availability for Friday expected. The report identifies his knee tendinitis as a recent consideration, but does not say that the condition has fully resolved.
Murray is also in the starting lineup after missing recent games for personal reasons. Fears had started and played well while Murray was away, prompting questions in earlier player updates about which guard New Orleans would use in the starting group. Friday’s announcement confirms the two will start together against Minnesota.
With Murphy back, Jones is the player moving out of the starting five. NBC Sports said the lineup change was the Pelicans’ only one. Its player analysis suggested Murphy’s return could reduce minutes for Jones and Saddiq Bey, but the report did not give a minutes projection or confirm how the bench rotation will be divided.
Murphy’s Return Reshapes the Wing Rotation
The immediate consequence is a change in New Orleans’ opening lineup, not a reported change to the team’s broader plans. Murphy’s availability restores a starter who missed the previous game and places Jones in a reserve role for Friday. That makes the announcement relevant both to the Pelicans’ matchup with Minnesota and to readers tracking individual playing time.
For fantasy basketball managers, the practical point is that Murphy is expected to play, while Jones and Bey could have less opportunity than they did during his absence. That is an expectation from NBC Sports’ player-news coverage, not a confirmed allocation of minutes. The starting announcement alone does not establish how much court time any of the three will receive.
Fears’ and Murray’s shared place in the starting group is another detail to watch. Fears had been given responsibility as a lead playmaker during Murray’s absence, while Murray is now back in the lineup. The report confirms they will both start, but it does not describe their respective roles or how their time on the court will be managed.
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Recent Absences Set Up Friday’s Lineup
The starting-five update follows a short run of availability changes for New Orleans. Murray missed recent games for personal reasons, and Fears started during his absence. Separate player updates described Murray as having missed the Pelicans’ last three games before Friday’s return to the starting lineup.
Murphy sat out Wednesday against Utah, a game New Orleans won, but was listed as probable the following day. NBC Sports also noted that Murphy had been probable ahead of an earlier game against Memphis and ultimately played 40 minutes in that overtime win. Those earlier reports provide context for his status, but do not determine how many minutes he will play against Minnesota.
Jones had filled a starting role during the recent lineup changes. Friday’s update places him back on the bench with Murphy available. The source describes this as the only adjustment to the Pelicans’ starting five; it does not provide a full rotation chart or report a new injury affecting the other four starters.
““Jeremiah Fears, Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy, Zion Williamson and Karlo Matković will start Friday’s game against the Timberwolves.””
— NBC Sports’ player-news report
Minutes and Roles Remain Unspecified
The starting lineup confirms who will open the game, but New Orleans has not provided minute totals for Murphy, Jones, Bey, Fears or Murray in the source material. It is also unclear whether Murphy’s knee tendinitis will affect his workload, despite his expected return after being listed as probable.
The report does not explain how the Pelicans will divide playmaking between Fears and Murray, or how Jones and Bey will fit into the rotation with Murphy back. Those details may become clearer through the game itself or later team updates. No additional medical information or coach comment is included in the supplied report.
Friday’s Game Will Test the Rotation
The next confirmed milestone is New Orleans’ Friday game against Minnesota, where the announced starters are expected to open. Game-day updates or the team’s final availability information could clarify whether Murphy has any restriction, but the supplied report does not state that a minutes limit is planned.
After tipoff, playing time and substitution patterns will show how the Pelicans handle Murphy’s return and Murray’s presence alongside Fears. Until those details are reported, the lineup announcement supports a clear conclusion about the starters, but not a precise forecast for the rest of the rotation.
Key Questions
Who is starting for the Pelicans against the Timberwolves?
Jeremiah Fears, Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy, Zion Williamson and Karlo Matković are starting, according to NBC Sports’ report.
Is Trey Murphy playing Friday?
He is in the starting lineup after missing Wednesday’s game against Utah. NBC Sports said Murphy had been listed as probable before Friday’s game.
Who moves to the bench with Murphy returning?
Herb Jones moves out of the starting five. The report describes this as New Orleans’ only change to its starting lineup.
Will Murphy’s return affect Jones and Saddiq Bey’s minutes?
NBC Sports’ player analysis said Jones and Bey could see reduced roles with Murphy back. No specific minutes or rotation plan was reported.
Why is Dejounte Murray starting with Jeremiah Fears?
The report confirms both guards will start. Murray had missed recent games for personal reasons, while Fears started and played well during his absence; the source does not detail how their roles will be divided.
Source: nbcsports.com
